In Fact, We ARE The Americans!

It’s no secret that some Europeans and South Americans aren’t very fond of Americans or the country we call home. One of their complaints is that Americans are guilty of jingoistically hogging the name “American” for themselves. They argue that anyone who lives in North or South America is an American.

The popular website urbandictionary.com defines “America” as: “A country that claims the name of an entire continent to itself alone for no compelling reason.”

Well, not so fast, Pierre.

As a matter of fact, Americans are the only people in North or South America entitled to call themselves Americans. We are also entitled to refer to our country as America if we want to. The reason has absolutely nothing to do with jingoism – but with simple logic. There is a significant difference between a country and a continent. Any resident of North America is a North American. Any resident of South America is a South American. But there is only one country that includes the word “America” in its name – The United States of America.

If Columbia changed its name to the Columbian States of America, its citizens would be Americans. If Costa Rica changed its name to Costa Rican States of America, it’s citizens would be Americans.

But they haven’t.

Citizens of Columbia are Columbians. Citizens of Costa Rica are Costa Ricans. Citizens of the United States of America are Americans.

Americans have a lot of faults. We sometimes elect the wrong leaders. In fact, we do it with alarming regularity. Some of our presidents and far too many of our members of Congress have been lying scoundrels. Our foreign policy has, at times, been shameful, benefiting no one but defense contractors.

There is one thing, however, we’re not guilty of – selfishly stealing the name “Americans” from others who are equally entitled to it.

Until another country in North or South America incorporates the word “America” into its name, we’re entitled to call ourselves “Americans” and to call our country “America.”

As our fellow American Walter Cronkite was fond of saying, “And that’s the way it is.”

By: Dave

Dave is the webmaster of StrangerAmerica.com, a website devoted to the greatness that is Dick Cheney.

He is also the creator of RonnieReagan.com, a site devoted to a man considered by some to have been one of the better B-grade actors to portray a U.S. president.

You will find the complete writings of Dave at LookAmerica.com, including his quest for the perfect meatball and his encounters with Pat the Nazi and the Psycho Dentist.