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Last Updated: Dec 12, 2008 - 4:54:39 PM |
Although occasionally forgotten in the rush to the Christmas holiday, this is the time for Americans to give thanks. Despite the headlines over the past months, there remains much to be thankful for in America.
This 232-year-old experiment in democracy stands strong - some may say it has even been revitalized with millions of Americans taking part in the election process this year for the first time. The voice of the people has been heard - it will continue to be heard.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 100 percent of Americans will spend Thanksgiving Day eating and drinking. That the vast majority of Americans are able to enjoy such largesse is in itself something to be thankful for. And while the unemployment rate across the nation rises to levels not seen in many years, Iowans are seeing blessings beyond what most Americans are experiencing. Also according to the BLS, only a relative handful of cities have unemployment rates lower than the national average - four of them, however, are in Iowa. Ames, Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City all have rates hovering around three percent - just half of the national average of over six percent. It seems that despite the dark clouds, there are still blue skies over Iowa.
And more than most states, Iowans have reason to give thanks. This state produces much of the food that makes up the Thanksgiving feasts across America. Everyone from those in small towns to the big cities should be grateful to the farmers who make that happen and proud of the fact that this state feeds the nation.
Of course Iowa doesn’t do it alone. Our neighbor to the north, Minnesota, is expected to raise 49 million turkeys this year, leading the nation in turkey production. If Minnesotans suddenly decided to get greedy and not share, that would mean every man, woman, and child could individually enjoy 10 turkeys and still have enough left over for the occasional spur of the moment feasts - gobblers greatly outnumber humans in the state.
Another neighbor to the north, Wisconsin, is expected to lead the nation in cranberry production with 385 million pounds - more than half of the total national cranberry production. Yes, there is more than cheese there. As if to prove that, Wisconsin will also lead the nation by producing 293,200 tons of green beans.
In the end, the products of dozens of states and the hard work of millions of Americans will land on tables across the country on Thursday. It is an event that few nations could conceive of, let alone partake in.
When the pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621, they had reason to give thanks despite the incredible hardships of their lives. When President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November to be a national day of thanksgiving in 1863, the nation had reason to give thanks despite the overwhelming threat to America itself. When President Franklin Roosevelt clarified that Thanksgiving should be on the fourth Thursday of November, rather than the occasional fifth Thursday, he did so, reportedly, to ensure a longer holiday shopping season. In the wake of the Great Depression, the nation still had reason to give thanks.
And so it goes today. America has faced crises many times before and has not only always overcome, but has always emerged stronger than before. There is no reason to expect these darkening days will be any different. Comparatively, our blessings our immense. We are not fighting disease and pestilence, we are not mired in Civil War, we are not in the midst of a dust bowl or total economic collapse.
This Thanksgiving, there is much to be grateful for. Americans can be thankful for this still being the land of opportunity - and be thankful that this is a nation that remembers the less fortunate, and there are always the less fortunate. Despite the challenges, America remains a prosperous nation where anything is possible. For that alone, we should give thanks.
© Copyright 2008 by The East Iowa Herald
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