I live in an assisted living facility for seniors, where they often have musicians and singers come in to perform for us. The last musician was pretty good. He sang some well-known American standards, including the patriotic song, “God Bless the USA,” by Lee Greenwood. (“And I’m proud to be an American/ Where at least I know I’m free.”)

That one got me thinking.

I grew up during the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson and was real proud; even through the presidencies of Republicans Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, and, later, through presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. 

But I’m not proud to be an American anymore.

William Kelley
Westbrook