our opinions: ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT
In The
Comfort
Zone
Proud To Be An American
T
92
his is the greatest country, with the greatest govern-
ment, with the greatest opportunity for individuals in
the history of the world. Even with the tumult over the
summer, I truly thank God every day for the privilege of
living in America.
And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Our allies
around the world look to us for leadership and see us as
a shining example of democracy. Tony Blair, the former
English Prime Minister, told his ambassadors in 2003,
“We are the ally of the US not because they are powerful,
but because we share their values. I am not surprised by
anti-Americanism; but it is a foolish indulgence. For all
their faults and all nations have them, the US [is] a force
for good; they have liberal and democratic traditions of
which any nation can be proud. I sometimes think it is a
good rule of thumb to ask of a country: are people trying
to get into it or out of it? It’s not a bad guide to what sort
of country it is.”
More people continue to want to come to our country
for education, health care and opportunity than any other
country in the world. Ask anyone who has traveled exten-
sively overseas and they will tell you that there is nowhere
else they would want to live. There were a lot of famous
people who threatened to move away based on our last
presidential election, but I’ve not seen a single one relo-
cate. Even they know that regardless of who our leader is,
this is still the best country in the world to live and work
in.
Speaking of educational opportunities, we are consis-
tently told about European nations who offer free or low
cost college educations to their young adults. Yes, you
have to pay for that opportunity in this country, but it is
available to anyone who wants to further their educa-
tion and expand their job opportunities in the future. And
the whole world knows it. According to Time Magazine,
International students attending US colleges last year
topped one million students. In the US, 66 percent of high
school students continued on to a college or university,
By Brett Hobson
CEO Comfort Experts
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the UK, less
than 40 percent of students go to college and in Germany
it’s even less, with only 35 percent earning a degree. And
that’s after having to qualify to even continue your studies.
Our numbers are higher because we have the opportunity
to choose to make our lives better by getting additional
training and education. We are the only country in the
world where you can choose to live in a mansion or
under a bridge.
Those same freedoms that allow you to choose wheth-
er you would like to further your education have allowed
us to think, to innovate, and to solve problems. Most of
us do not look to the government to solve our problems.
Think of all the innovation and inventions that were
created here. I know in my business I couldn’t be happier
about the invention of the air conditioner in 1902. Other
American inventions have included everything from the
first powered flight to the World Wide Web. Our country
has created a culture of creativity and innovation [like]
the world has never seen. Hundreds of inventions that
have made our lives richer, easier and more convenient
have been developed by people with the freedom to think
bigger and dream.
“In God We Trust” is not just a slogan on our money.
It’s what we need to believe in as we soldier on in an
ever-changing world. Every day we get to choose what
our future is, and I believe that our future is here in the
United States. We need to support our president, our
government and each other. All of us are needed to make
us all successful. I’m proud to be an American and I hope
you are too.
Brett Hobson,
President Comfort Experts
P.S. We want to be your air-conditioning and heating
professionals.