America is the greatest country on earth, which is supported by the fact that more people are trying to get in than trying to get out. America allows people to be offended, unlike many other countries.

Why are there groups of people who are born in America, live in America and benefit from the American dream who have to identify as a member of a country that does necessarily allow being offended? Why is “American” always last after the hyphenation? I can’t imagine calling myself a Scotch-Irish-American because I have zero relationship with Scotland, Ireland or any other country. Maybe my ancestors did, but that has no effect on my relationship and respect for the country in which I was born and live today.

We can move every monument, change every street, school and college name as well as pay reparations and blame everyone that we think participated in slavery, but there’s not a single soul today involved in that slavery. It has absolutely no effect on us today, except in our heads.

There’s plenty for me to be offended about today that directly affects millions of people such as President Barack Obama knowingly and repeatedly lying to our faces, when he said, “If you like your plan you can keep your plan” and “Your health care premiums will go down by $2,500 per family.”

Some choose to be offended by past history and a statue. I choose to be offended by having my insurance stolen from me and now costing 800% more today. Where are my reparations for that?

We can be offended by whatever we choose to be offended by, but I choose to look ahead instead of back. In my opinion, we will never be a United States of America as long as we are a hyphenated nation.

— Alan Champion

Salisbury