America, My Country and I Love It

By Ed Maier, Former Andersen Partner

I read an article recently by a writer I respect. He wrote about why he loves America. I challenged myself to think about that, and I have, no doubt, the same conclusion. I love my country. I am proud to be an American. I am thankful for the many gifts given to me because of the privilege of being an American.

I grew up in a typical big city neighborhood on the South side of Chicago. I attended church-related grammar and high schools. I had no fear walking back and forth to either of those schools as I grew older. I also played sports and other kids’ games, freely and unafraid, during both day or nighttime hours, in our streets and on our playgrounds. My parents were the ones who chose the schools I would attend. No one in their lives—relatives or friends, church or government representatives—decided which schools I would attend or mandated that I do so.

When I graduated from high school, I applied for college and was accepted to one that I selected. It was my choice—not anyone else’s. I was not shuttled to a different school because of my economic and social status or because of my political or religious beliefs. Upon completion of my studies, I applied for work with several professional accounting firms as that was my chosen field. I received offers of employment and picked the one that I felt was the best for my future growth and development. Once again, I emphasize it was my choice. I was not limited by my economic status, religious beliefs or government alliances.

While attending university, I voluntarily enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). I did so with the full knowledge that this enrollment and the benefits I received from it came with a commitment to devote a certain portion of my life to military service. I made this choice because my father and several of my uncles served in the military. Our family believed that one of our responsibilities for growing up in our nation was to serve our country. There was no governmental mandate that I do this.

Near the end of my college work, I fell in love with a wonderful woman. We were married shortly after I completed my military service and returned to my professional career. We have been together for many years, raised one child to adulthood who now has his own family. Throughout that process our choices, mistakes and decisions have been ours. Other than being law-abiding citizens, we have never been forced to do anything, live anywhere, work in any field or participate in any activity against our will.

I had a successful professional career. I believe that success was a result of my own efforts.

After my retirement from the accounting profession, I was able to work for many years in the field of executive coaching and business consulting. I chose to do this on my own and I had the freedom of choice to do so. The only limitations to any success I had in either of these careers were my own. There were no roadblocks placed in front of me because of my background, social or economic status.

In my professional career, we had the opportunity to live in three different parts of the country. We always felt welcomed into the social and professional circles of the neighbors and friends we met. We associated with people because we wanted to, not because it was mandated that we had to do so. In addition to living in these places, we had numerous opportunities to vacation around our country, see many of its sights, take in the beauty of its nature and share meals and activities with many of its people. To do so, we never had to provide identification papers, cross a roadblock or explain to some military or police person the nature of our business.

We also had the opportunity to travel to other parts of the world. We visited many foreign cities and countries, met many wonderful people and learned many knew things about life around the world. No one from America—in the government or any other agency—investigated why we were traveling outside our borders or inhibited our ability to do so. We were not restricted to go anywhere we wished to go.

Throughout my life in this wonderful country, I followed its laws and regulations because I respected them and because that is what I was trained to do. As long as I have operated within those parameters, I have been able to choose what I want to do without fear, concern or retribution. The places where I live, the clothes I wear, the food I eat, the sites that I visit, the people I make friends with, the beliefs I hold are all my choice.

If I conduct myself in an appropriate, professional and courteous manner, I can have conversations with relatives, neighbors and others with whom I might have differences of opinion. I can do so without the threat of retribution by any professional or governmental agency.

I can live my life this way because 250 years ago, fifty-six brave citizens signed a document called the Declaration of Independence. Shortly after, many of them participated in the writing of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These Founding Documents established the guiding principles for where and how I have been able to live my life. And I am deeply thankful to them for it. I love this country.

I read these Founding Documents on occasion. I recommend that you read them also. I don’t know what subjects children study in school these days. But if you have your own children, I think you should share these Documents with them and discuss what they mean. They should have some basic knowledge of them. They should also know how their lives have been shaped and affected by them.

Now if you ask me if I like this country, I will say that sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t and sometimes I am not so sure. There are things that happen in the government, in business, in society that I don’t like. Many of our people in various walks of life do things that I don’t like or don’t agree with. But as long as they follow the laws of our country and they do not interfere with my rights to live here, they can behave as they wish.

But for my seventy-eight years, the likes I have for this country far outweigh the dislikes. And I still love her, this America.

As always, I am interested in your thoughts. Feel free to write to me at

edmaier46@gmail.com. And, if you enjoy my writing, you can read more of it in my book Think Straight, Talk Straight, which you can find on Amazon right here.