Americans are winners even when they lose. Let me explain. Will Rogers, a 20th century Native American humorist, made the statement, “If your side lost, don’t take it too much to heart. Remember there is always the difference between the United States and a dictatorship: a dictator runs the country, but here, the country runs the president.” Before whining about the other guy winning office, consider what our nation would be like if controlled by a dictator.
A dictatorship is a form of government where a group or individual obtains absolute power through force and violence. In contrast, we Americans enjoy privileges such as individual voting. When countries are in the clutches of a dictator, any discrepancies with those in power makes no difference. In America, however, we may voice our opinion because of our blessed constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech, of assembly and of the press. Dictators may retain power until the day of their death; whereas Americans get an opportunity for a change in leadership every four years.
We as Americans need to be careful not to take our voting privileges for granted, keeping in mind the people who don’t have the luxury of choice.
11th grade
Masters Touch Christian School
Lake Stevens
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