As I awoke this morning and read about all of the elections around Europe, I thought long and hard about why I am so thankful to be American.  Regardless of your political leanings, open your minds for one minute, and look at the greatness of this Republic.  How brilliant were our Framers?!  Despite the divisons of the past 3 1/2 years, truth be told, not much has changed except for the fact that the economy is a little better, healthcare reform, (which is problematic in my view)has been passed and is now in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court and Bin Laden is dead.  There of course are others.  Even though there are many out there that simply don’t like our President, our Republic is as strong as ever.  In the end, through the tough economic climate and difficult social issues, we will rise, as we always have, to lead the way.  We are that beacon of light in an otherwise hazy world.  When Europe faces difficult times where do they turn; to left leaning Communinist/Socialist forces and Neo Nazis.  In America, when we were going through tough times, who did we elect; the first man of color.  And whether you like him or not, he is American and he is a mainstream figure who only wants what is best for this country despite the fact that I may disagree with his methods for getting there.  The lesson to be learned is that this country, since it’s inception, since the ratification of it’s Constistution in 1788 has been and shall always be the model of what a Free and Democratic society should be.