Let's Explore America. Raj Boone's Gadasalli
Indian population (Yes, the real Indians are called Asian Indians!) is about 2 million. Chinese and other Asians number about 8 million.
Despite advances made in Science and Technology, assurance of equal opportunity for all irrespective of color, race and religion, race plays an important part in American life. Discrimination is not blatant as in the past but has taken subtle forms. It is difficult to perceive subtle hues unless one has lived in the US for a while. But in general Indians and other Asians are faring better than some other ethnic groups. Here too, light skinned Indians do much better. Americans in general are very nice people who often wonder why others do not appreciate them. The events of September 11, 2001 have added a new kink in ethnic relations. Hopefully American values will prevail in the end.
Language
English is the official Language of the United States. Spanish is spoken extensively too.
Government
The United States is a federal union of 50 states, with the District of Columbia as the seat of the national government. The constitution outlines the structure of the national government and specifies its powers and activities. The states have their own constitutions and laws. Within each state are counties, townships, cities and villages each of which has its own elective government.
All government in the United States is “of, by and for the people”. Members of Congress, the President, state, city and county officials are elected by popular vote. The voting age is 18. The constitution divides the power of the government into three branches – the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial. The constitution limits the role of each branch to prevent anyone branch from gaining undue power.
The whole System of American government is based on the principle established in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The people believe that the government should provide a framework of law and order in which they are left free to run their own lives.
The state governments follow much the same pattern as the federal government. Each has a Governor as the Chief executive. However the cities of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles have City - Governments headed by elected Mayors. Thus these cities do not come under the jurisdiction of the respective Governors.
Executive Branch
The President of the United States is the head of the Executive branch. He is chosen in a national election for a four-year term of office and may be re-elected for a second term. He cannot run for a third term.
As per the US Constitution, the President has to be an American by birth and at least 35 years of age.
Almost all past Presidents were White Protestant Christians with the sole exception of John F Kennedy who was a Roman Catholic. Election of the first African- American, Barack Obama as President in 2008 is a historic event.
The Whitehouse is the President’s official residence. He works out of the Oval office, which is a part of the same building.
Legislative Branch
The Legislative branch called the Congress of the United States, comprising of two chambers - a Senate and a House of Representatives is on an area called Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. The constitution provides for two Senators from each state and a number of Representatives proportional to population. Thus, currently there are 100 Senators and 435 Reps, collectively called Congressmen.
Senators are elected for six – year terms and Representatives for four- year terms in national elections held during the month of November. Mid term elections are also held for the Senate. Senators are very powerful figures with most of them holding office for decades.
Judicial Branch
The Judicial branch is headed by the US Supreme Court in Washington D.C. The President appoints the nine- member Bench for life after confirmation by the Senate. Honb’le John Roberts is the current Chief Justice.
The American Flag
The American flag is also called, The Star Spangled banner or Stars and Stripes. Red White and Blue are it’s three colors. It has 13 stripes representing the original colonies created by early European settlers and 50 stars representing the 50 states of today.
American National Anthem
The Star Spangled Banner
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming! And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh say, does that star-spangled banner wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines on the stream: 'This the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore . That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion. A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand. Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!. Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
God of our fathers
American National Hymn by Daniel Roberts
This National hymn was written for the 1876, July 4th centennial by Daniel Roberts. It is sung at other important ceremonies.
God of our fathers, Whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.
Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.
From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.
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Major Historical Events
1492. Christopher Columbus lands in the Bahamas.
1607.