Voices of America: What do you like best about America?

The thing that is most responsible for shaping America is, well, Americans. That is why in our celebration of the country’s 250th birthday, we decided to talk to those who make America what it is: its citizens. The biggest takeaway? We're not all the same. But that’s just one of the things that makes us great. 

In this series, we asked dozens of Americans nine questions to gather their thoughts on America yesterday, today and tomorrow. Here is what they had to say.

What do you like best about America?

I think the greatest thing about America is Americans. Even if they have a completely different opinion than I have, if you stand us all up and say we’ve got this threat of whatever: disease or military or whatever, I think we stand together. I’m not sure how many other countries can do that. We have the will, we have the resources, we have the technology, we have the constitution, and to think of a document that was written 250 years ago that still works is pretty incredible. Even though we have people at the extremes, you have that core group in the middle and whatever the disaster, the country would pull together and we would take care of it.

— Tom Freiwald, Longboat Key resident

That anybody can succeed. Yes, some have longer roads to travel, but if you have a creative idea, set your sights on a particular goal and outwork your peers, you can create any type of life that you wish for yourself. It’s the American Way, where literally anything is possible, with a little bit of luck.

— Barry Weisblatt, founder, WhiteLeaf Private Music Club

The thing that I like the most is, as people, for the most part, we’re able to travel around and get to experience different parts of our culture and different parts of the states — doesn’t matter if you’re from Nebraska, North Dakota, New York, Florida. I think people are generally welcoming and so I appreciate, any time I travel, people are generally nice.

— Sean Keith, payroll and HR advisor

The national anthem. We have the most beautiful national anthem. You always see and feel the unity in the crowd around you when it’s played, whether it’s in times of sadness or joy.

— Christopher Hunt, artist

We are the most generous country in the world, and most of us are still willing to be fiercely independent and take on responsibility.

— Don Gesualdi, Lakewood Ranch retired firefighter

How much freedom women have.

— Este Lennox, Realtor

Working with people who still care about their communities and aren’t in it for anything other than doing the right thing.

— BJ Bishop, Longboat Key Town Commissioner

We have the opportunity to choose what we do for ourselves and what lives we want to live — what careers we want to have and the freedom of choice.

— Arlene Merriman, Bradenton retiree

The greatest thing about America is still the possibility. Even with all its flaws, people from many backgrounds still find ways to create, build, survive, speak truth, raise families and push this country to become better than what it has been.

— Rahim Turner, Lakewood Ranch resident, independent contractor and barber

I love that it is up to an individual to make it in this country. So many people around the world dream to get the chance to come to America just for the opportunity.

— Chip White, Sarasota resident and bar and restaurant owner

My favorite thing about America is that you can have so many mulligans, so many do-overs here. You’re not locked into any one career path or any one way of life, and I do feel that that really is truly across the boards, across all socioeconomic demographics, all ethnicities. I think if someone has the will, the way is provided, and that’s not always the case in other countries.

— MJ Price, comic, musician, performer and local volunteer

The greatest thing about America is that in the hardest times people are able to put their differences aside and help their fellow Americans.

— Paul Jordan, student at Lakewood Ranch High and member of Technology Student Association

That it’s still the land of the free and home of the brave.

— Rob Hollway, The Out-of-Door Academy football coach