The focus of the writing and the comments here is often negative, pointing out errors of fact, mistakes in policy,  consequences of certain philosophies, etc.  Similarly, as the federal government becomes further divorced from Founding era political ideals and from the will of most of the people, our emphasis is often critical.  Neither of these things is inappropriate.  Reasoned dissent is not only called for in the face of political error–it is a duty.

Now that we are in the season of thankfulness, however, which asks us to remember our gratitude for prosperity (at Thanksgiving) and for salvation (at Christmas), I’d like to mention some things I do not wish to take for granted:

I am thankful that the core liberties of speech, assembly, ownership of arms, and freedom of worship remain more protected in America than they have been anywhere else, ever.

I am thankful that the American people still prefer liberty despite its costs, and resent efforts to force entitlement upon them.

I am thankful that a site like this can exist without fear of prosecution.

I am thankful that in the midst of the worst economy anyone can remember, our nation is still so prosperous that starvation, pestilence, and the other handmaidens of poverty are unheard of.

I am thankful that, as the media abdicates its role as the people’s watchdog, the people themselves are stepping into the void in the form of “bloggers.”

Our worries (political, philosophical, cultural, and religious) are serious, but are not hopeless.  Persuasion and reason still hold a place of primacy, if not to the extent we would prefer.  Our system of government is bloated and ineffective–but it is not irreparably broken.  The economy suffers, but the shelves of our grocery stores are full of food that even the poorest of us can obtain it.

There is much for which we should be thankful.