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Big Al
July 7, 2014

I’m Grateful to Live in America. Here’s Why.

By Frank Holmes

An important principle of our investment process at U.S. Global Investors is a belief that government policies are a precursor to change. As a result, we closely monitor the fiscal, monetary and other impactful governmental policies of the world’s largest countries, both in terms of economic stature and population. We’re always listening for the proverbial shot heard around the world. As we celebrated America’s Independence Day over the weekend, this belief rings especially true.

In 1776 it was America’s reaction to oppressive government policy that led to the Declaration of Independence, unbinding the 13 colonies from England’s constraint and permitting them to prosper as their own entity, what would become the United States of America.

Today, it’s undeniable that some government policies are controversial, whether it’s America’s involvement in the Middle East or changes in health care policy. Despite widely differing personal views, I believe the people of this country can agree upon one thing: the fledgling government’s policies supporting democracy, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness crafted over 200 years ago led America to where it is today. A world leader. A global success story based on equal opportunity, upward mobility and freedom to change. An economic powerhouse. A promoter of education and entrepreneurship. A protector of freedom for its people and others oppressed outside its borders.

America is an economic leader. The United States remains the world leader in GDP, followed closely by China. Energy is the latest example of American innovation spurring this economic growth. Over the last several years, a revolution in the oil industry has taken over in the U.S. We could be looking forward to decades of drilling as we watch the energy sector continue to accelerate, so far creating thousands of jobs for Americans and increasing tax revenues for their communities to reinvest in education and infrastructure.

Nobody predicted the gigantic growth in the energy sector would come out of the United States, but as you can see below, crude oil production has reached a 25-year high in America.

 

It was American ingenuity, the thinkers and the doers, who worked towards the technology that made this possible. It was the determined minds who knew hydraulic fracturing would push this business forward. Freedom fuels creativity, risk taking and entrepreneurship. This is important to an evolving economy.

America is a thought leader. Government-supported and free public schools for all were established after the American Revolution and by the 1930s, 100 percent of children attended school.  Today the U.S. has a reading literacy rate of 99 percent of the population over age 15. Though any parent will tell you our schools could do better, and vast discrepancies in quality exist, universal education is a fundamental right in America.

An alarming number of countries still do not allow women the basic right to an education, something we take for granted. Some 60 percent of the 10 million children not in schools throughout developing nations, for example, are girls. Public education in this country has long been a springboard to success.

Did you know that the United States is home to the largest percentage of top universities in the world? The 2013-2014 Times Higher Education World Rankings show that out of the top 10 universities in the world, seven are in the United States. Many of the business and political leaders I’ve met from around the world choose to send their sons and daughters to study in America. Not only is education an important piece of our nation’s framework, so is the push for innovation and competition. Take a look at the IMD World Competitiveness Scoreboard for 2014: the United States comes in at number one. The rankings are based on how an economy manages the totality of its resources and competencies to increase the prosperity of its population, according to the IMD website.

America is a benevolence leader. A portion of the United States’ budget is allocated to provide foreign aid across the world for humanitarian needs following war-related or natural disasters. Whether or not you believe in this portion of government spending, the United States continues to be a helping hand to weaker countries during times of crisis.

The U.S. also ranks first in the  2013 World Giving Index, conducted by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), to study giving trends and charitable growth around the world. According to the CAF’s report, proportionally more Americans gave in some way than in any other country.

America is home to hundreds of charitable organizations, one of the most notable being the American Red Cross.  According to its website, the American Red Cross is dedicated to preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

America is a liberty leader.  In 2013, Gallup asked people from 154 countries if they would like to migrate, and if so, where would they want to go? The United States was by far the most popular choice. Gallup estimates that around 140 million people would relocate here, if they could. The United Kingdom was the second-most popular, with 42 million people.

Why do America’s shores continue to beckon? One reason could be the opportunity to prosper in the United States. The U.S. is a country that stands for balance of power and rule of law, where political leaders are fairly elected.  Political power is not ordained by birthright, taken by force or elected by farce.  In America, everyone has an equal and fair chance. A chance to become wealthy, a chance to become educated, and a chance to worship who or what you want. The United States encourages and celebrates individual achievement, but is also a melting pot of cultures and ideas, where citizens feel a sense of belonging and communal pride to be Americans.

Although there is a lot to improve upon, these are just a few of the positive reflections I see in this country – things we must not take for granted, but instead continue expressing gratitude for. In order to keep up with our global competition and in order to keep the individual American dream alive, we must continue to strive ahead and push for smart government policies that support initiative and independence.

Being a Tex-Can, born in Canada and now living in Texas, I’m privileged to celebrate both Canada Day and America’s Independence Day. I have been traveling recently with President Clinton and Canadian philanthropist Frank Giustra in Haiti and Colombia to help support the efforts of the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership.

 

This group provides thousands of youth in communities around Cartagena, Colombia, new employment and education opportunities as well as training scholarships and job internships. I also met with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos during our visit. This is a wonderful organization and a perfect example of how great leadership and ingenuity can spread far and wide, no matter the country you are from.

 

 

Discussion
48 Comments
    Jul 07, 2014 07:32 PM

    American exceptionalism? Americans do some wonderful things and I have many fantastic American friends but I believe the good deeds are now outweighed by the bad.

    Frank forgot to mention that America is a drone leader and and undeclared war leader. America just sent 4000 Hellfire missiles to Iraq. I wonder how many will end up being used against innocent civilians or end up in the hands of terrorists. With this brand of thought, benevolence and liberty, I would be happy to live without America’s help.

    ISIS………OR ISIL…………..thinking about INVADING SPAIN………..see zerohedge.

    GREAT ARTICLE AT KWN……………”.MADC.”……and SILVER READY TO ROCKET.

    FRANK IS RUNNING WITH THE WRONG CROWD………IF HE IS RUNNING WITH Clinton.

      Jul 07, 2014 07:52 PM

      No NO NO i think go live in ISRAEL

      AREN’T THE KIDS , the illegal that are coming into TEXAS , FROM COLUMBIA…?
      TEXAS,,,,,CLINTON,,,,,COLUMBIA……organization by Clinton,,,,,,something smells here.

        Jul 07, 2014 07:57 PM

        Now that is an interesting observation!

        Jul 07, 2014 07:58 PM

        YES !

      Jul 07, 2014 07:56 PM

      Interesting point, Jerry!

    Jul 07, 2014 07:06 PM

    ALL NO FUNNY IN EUROPE ! FRANCE ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX7oezVO1Bk

    Jul 07, 2014 07:37 PM

    And we brew the best beer this side of Germany, I tells ya!

    CFS
    Jul 07, 2014 07:20 PM

    Sarcasm (on)
    A sure sign gold is going up!

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/04/gold-hedging-idUSL6N0PF2J820140704
    Sarcasum (off)

    CFS
    Jul 07, 2014 07:28 PM

    Further comments on silver demand:
    http://www.commodityonline.com/news/photovoltaics-will-be-a-major-driver-of-silver-industrial-demand-stephen-leeb-52634-3-52635.html

    1 Gigawatt = 1000 Megawatts = 1 Billion Watts
    For a typical photovoltaic: 0.1 gram of silver is required per watt.

    So amount of silver that would be : 70,000,000,000 watts x 0.1 gram/watt = 7 billion grams of silver required.

    That requires using up 225 million ounces of silver.

    CFS
    Jul 07, 2014 07:50 PM

    The China banking system is becoming worrisome:
    Of course the main banking system will always survive by simple money printing.
    Small businesses, however, rely on a shadow banking system, which is dependent on loan guaratees.
    At this point in time 90% of loan guarantors have gone belly up.
    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-07-07/could-be-last-straw-90-china-loan-guarantors-bankrupt

    CFS
    Jul 07, 2014 07:45 PM

    Note the origin of this is RT.com

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmRBL7S5vGs

    Worth watching.

      Jul 07, 2014 07:16 PM

      No amount of coverup can make Building 7 go away.
      ‘Gulf of Tonkin’ says hello.

    CFS
    Jul 07, 2014 07:59 PM

    Obama’s funding of terrorism:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euL8QQeAlPI

    Impeach the bas…d!

    Jul 07, 2014 07:48 PM

    Pretty obvious that the US has not been serving the people for decades now.
    The whole world has suffered so much for so many generations for this madness.

    CFS
    Jul 08, 2014 08:58 AM

    Illegals backlash…?
    JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America have scrapped low-cost services that allowed Mexican immigrants to send money to their families across the border. The Spanish bank BBVA is reportedly exploring the sale of its unit that wires money to Mexico and across Latin America. And in perhaps the deepest retrenchment by a bank, Citigroup’s Banamex USA unit has now closed many of its branches in Texas, California and Arizona that catered to Mexicans living in the United States and stopped most remittances to Mexico as it faces a federal investigation related to money laundering controls.

      The Mexican illegals have been getting money back on their tax filings via the CHILD CREDIT exemption ………The illegals are claiming dependents living in MExico, that are niece and nephews…….The amount of moneys returned on these illegal tax forms are in the THOUSANDS…..onE example, WAS reported to have had 10 dependants , and got back $28,000 in a check from our GOVT .agency .

    CFS
    Jul 08, 2014 08:14 AM

    Obama will submit a request for $2 billion in additional funds this year to deal with illegal immigrants.
    Reality Check:
    Estimated inflow 30,000 illegals per month. 6 months left in year =180,000 illegals.
    2 billion =2,000,000,000
    is a per person cost of more than $10,000.
    Hello! I could provide a chauffeured limo for each individual immigrant to anywhere in Central America at less cost.
    Or for even much less, ask for an entrance visa, and if they don’t have one, shove them back across the border with a kick up their backside.
    This problem is easily soluble; it just takes a will to do so.

      That money is going to go to the CLINTON FOUNDATION, so Hillery can have an opportunity ,,,That was a deal O..made for Hillery to step aside…
      The Clinton foundation is hard at work in Columbia, where this last round of illegals is coming from……………TWO BILLION, for what…., like you say,,,,,,that is $10,000 per head……These people in Columbia can live like KINGS AND QUEENS on TEN GRAND.

        Jul 08, 2014 08:07 AM

        Kind of an interesting coincidence.

          When I made the above statement , I was kind of joking,,,,,,,,BUT, NOW………THEY HAVE DECIDED TO…………DOUBLE THE AMOUNT FOR THE BORDER problem…….
          it went from …….$2bill..to ..$3.8 bill………..OBAMA must be reading our mail, and thinking ,,,,,Why , not just double it…….some for hilly….some for me me Obame.

            You know they are still looking for the TWO BILLION DOLLARS that was sent to IRAQ, under BUSH……some how the SKID LOAD OF DOLLARS got misplaced………..
            WAKE UP AMERICA……….

      Jul 08, 2014 08:11 AM

      That will does not seem to be there.

      To me, cfs, this whole situation is going from simply confusing to absolutely terrifying. I say terrifying because the govt. does not seem to be handling it correctly.

      You know it is is interesting, we live about 20 minutes from the border. We constantly see helicopters flying overhead. If I try to cross the border without stopping, I would probably get shot. Really fair huh!

    CFS
    Jul 08, 2014 08:20 AM

    Never forget the US has the most generous legal immigration in the world.

    It is insanity to allow overloaded schools, hospitals and social services with this illegality.

      IT IS ALL A POLITICAL HACK JOB……………DEMO THE REPUBLIC…., so the OLIGOPS can run their show….and steal every dime from the middle……….

        Jul 08, 2014 08:06 AM

        What do you think about the border situation?

        Isn’t it amazing that the President is simply disregarding the governor of Texas? Kind of scary to me personally!

      Jul 08, 2014 08:07 AM

      Well, of course it is!