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Tuesday, November 3, 2026Nov 3

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Ranters respond: What is an American?

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We asked Ranters: What is an American? Read winning essays by local students on that question in Sunday’s Perspective section.

A USA citizen with freedom, opportunities, rights our ancestors fought for, securing blessings through hope, hard work and service to leave USA stronger for those following.

I’m not the American that you are. We hail from different dreams, disparate cultures. Our Constitution unites and protects this republic. God bless us everyone!

An American is a person living in a beautiful land of liberty, having unlimited opportunity and not chained by ancient repressive cultures.

Recites Pledge of Allegiance with meaning. Salutes the American flag solely. Believes “In God We Trust.” Learns and speaks English. Contributes work effort to USA.

An American is a legal citizen of America.

We’re the proverbial Duke’s Mixture of colors and creeds. Every day we wake up in America we need to be on our knees thankful.

Being American means beautiful local, state and national parks, good highways to get there and meeting wonderful people along the way. Appreciate these natural gifts.

Americans are not a race, Americans are a people. Made up of all kinds and varieties. This is what makes our lives a wonderful experience.

America then: the land of the free, home of the brave. America now: the land of the imprisoned and home of the bullies. Sad.

An American accepts: 1. the Ten Commandments 2. the Constitution of the United States 3. the Golden Rule.

Someone who takes pride in doing the right thing, believes his rights stop where his neighbor’s begin, works with others for the good of all.

All are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. Not my creator; all have the right to their interpretation of their creator.

With freedom of the press, speech, religion, to assemble, to petition, bear arms, due process, no unreasonable searches, to obey laws, vote and support country’s freedoms.

Chicken or egg? American values or American security? Unanimity?

If you live in isolation and a bubble of your own creation, please don’t vote. You’re not informed. You don’t live in the real world.

Did you ever feel proud of being American? For me, it was generally when we had Democratic presidents who were trying to help poor Americans.

I grew up dirt poor living in America. However, I do not love my country with an extremely nasty man like Donald Trump running it.

All are created equal with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which shouldn’t be taken away by the rich and privileged.

Want to join the conversation?

Submit a Rant, which are anonymous and 25 words or less, using this form, email your Rant to rant@timesfreepress.com, or send to Rant c/o Times Free Press, 400 E. 11th. St., Chattanooga TN 37403. Include your phone number and name; names will not appear in print or online.

Or submit a letter to the editor, which are 200 words or less, use this form, email your letter to letters@timesfreepress.com or send to Letters c/o Times Free Press, 400 E. 11th. St., Chattanooga TN 37403. Letters must be signed with name, address and telephone number; only your name and general location will appear when published. Letters containing discriminatory language or generated by an AI tool may not be chosen.

All letters and rants are subject to review.