The biggest problem with the left in America is it labels those who highlight anything positive about this nation racist.

We hear “reputable sources”, such as CNN, drone on about how racist America is and how disadvantaged American minorities are.

The usual rhetoric includes: any and all forms of racism that have affected the nation from its inception never truly ended; nothing has been done to erase these sins of the nation; and the latest presidential election gave way to new and renewed forms of racism. The latter being the most prominent.

In addition, there is never-ending propaganda pushed by media outlets and supposedly-comedic commentary by late night hosts.

The leftist-monopolized media has launched a full assault on the fabricated evils of this administration.

The leftist-monopolized media has launched a full assault on the fabricated evils of this administration while crying, in some cases literally, about how horrible it is for anyone other than “country white people” to live in America.

Incidents of racism, both real and staged, occurring across the nation are blamed on President Trump and his supporters.

One of the most prominent incident being the alleged “attack” on Jussie Smollett. Smollett went on record saying, and even crying, how he was targeted by white supremacists, seeking revenge in the name of “MAGA Country.”

The whole thing, of course, was an absolute farce. Leftwing media covered the hoax extensively, portraying the unproven allegations as factual events. Yet even after it was confirmed Smollett’s attack was indeed a farce, media outlets did not stop or even hesitate pinning any and all racists incidents on Trump supporters.

All this disinformation and blame-shifting has unfortunately had negative consequences in the minds of many. A recent Gallup poll indicated that just prior to September 11, 2001, 87 per cent of those asked felt “proud” of America and 55 per cent “extremely proud”. After the attack, between 2002 and 2004, those identifying as “extremely proud” rose to 70 per cent.

However that number has fallen. Now only 45 per cent of citizens consider themselves “extremely proud” to be American.

Many factors influenced these numbers. Including the long wars America has endured, and the anti-American sentiment pushed throughout the Obama years.

When people are constantly exposed to news and reports about how awful this country is, hating America becomes an easy pill to swallow.

The 2016 elections had an even more significant impact on people’s perception of American pride. The same Gallup poll showed that by 2016, 56 per cent of Democrats were proud of their country, in contrast to 71 per cent of Republicans. By 2019, pride amongst Republicans has risen to 76 per cent, yet Democrats’ numbers dropped to a sad 22 per cent.

With this data in mind, it is easy to see why the anti-American sentiment from the left has been successful in its diabolical game.

When people are constantly exposed to news and reports about how awful this country is, hating America becomes an easy pill to swallow. At least for those who do not personally research the information they are being fed or the opposing side.

For example, the New York Times – or as President Trump calls them, the “Failing New York Times” – decided to run a piece just a couple of days before the Fourth of July celebrations. In this report, they “exposed” how America’s notion of being the greatest country on earth is baseless. Among many of the report’s pathetic allegations were the past incidents of, you guessed it, racism and hate.

Allow me to make something clear: Yes, America has had very sad and horrendous periods of hate and racism, which have caused a significant blemish on its history.

But on the same token, America has been the same land where people fought and died for the improvement of those conditions and for the empowerment of peoples of all ages, races, ethnicities, and genders.

The biggest problem with the left in America is it labels those who highlight anything positive about this nation racist. To the left, American will never be anything short of an oppressive nation. The idea that if anyone finds pride in his or her homeland, even if adoptive, that person will now be labeled as a “white supremacist” is ridiculous.

It is important to see the opportunities this nation brings, and the countless people who have made this country a better one.

This country deserves to be felt proud of. This nation of ours warrants the best of us. Through it we can become the best version of ourselves.

I came to this country as a child and saw how our family was welcomed, even in the face of adversity. I repaid such debt by joining the U.S. Marine Corps and serving during times of conflict, prior to and after the September 11 attacks. I did so not only as a personal achievement, but also to show one can accomplish much more through patriotism than by highlighting the negatives that come with a society.

My advice to people who feel bombarded by American negativity is this: it is okay to understand and remember history – even if such is disappointing. Yet it is also important to see the opportunities this nation brings, and the countless people who have made this country a better one, even through the shedding of their blood.

That is what makes America the best country in the world. The left will never understand this, yet it is truer now than it has ever been.

Hector Fajardo is a Marine Corps veteran