First come rights, and then comes government.
I admit that I have no read the Constitution of the United States of America. It's something I wish to correct.
I am not a natural born US citizen. Decades ago, right around the time, I was college age, my grand-father obtained resident alien status for his children and his grandchildren.
I was able to immigrate to the USA for college to study physics and electrical engineering. Upon graduation, and before I went off to graduate school, I applied for US citizenship. I became a naturalised US citizen in 1993. I was so happy and so excited to proudly and loudly say, "I am an American!".
When I sing or hear the US national anthem or recite the pledge of allegiance, I can't help but be moved by promise embedded in the words.
I had looked upon the United States of American as the land where I could be free; an inviting place, where anyone could work hard and achieve their dreams. I hope it still is.
More about this image at the link.
@khurtwilliams Spot on! Too many people forget this.
Yep.