Jocelyn Pearce's Page

We like to easily define ourselves, to say we are "liberal," or "conservative," when really, the true meanings of those words are all but lost in the sense of modern American politics. We call our selves "Democrats" and "Republicans," but the meanings of those words change all the time.

I have a friend who is a McCain supporter and describes himself as "conservative, but not a Republican" (he thinks the Republican Party isn't conservative enough in many cases). He likes to come up with somethin… Continue

"For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country."

When Michelle Obama said that, the media had a field day blasting her for a lack of patriotism. People asked how we could possibly support a candidate whose own wife didn’t have pride in her country.

I admire Mrs. Obama for that statement, both for having the guts to say it and for the sentiment it implies. It does not imply lack of patriotism; rather, to me, this statement means that she has believed that this country is… Continue

Note: Versions of this post have also served as an article for a student newspaper and a college application essay. I've adapted it a bit for this venue, but the sentiments work for all three.

We take for granted that we will not be ruled by tyrannical dictators. We take for granted that we will have cars and paved roads to drive them on. We take for granted that we will go to school and not have to pay for the privilege. We take for granted that we will not disappear in the middle of the night… Continue