City upon a hill

There are several similarities and differences between Winthrop’s use of the phrase “city upon a hill” and John F. Kennedy’s use of the same phrase.  In John F. Kennedy’s speech, he says to the people of Massachusetts, “Today the eyes of all people are truly upon us--and our governments, in every branch, at every level, national, state and local, must be as a city upon a hill--constructed and inhabited by men aware of their great trust and their great responsibilities.”  John F. Kennedy is telling the people that the government should be constructed by people who understand how important their positions are.  A quote from John Winthrop’s A Modell of Christian Charity is “For wee must consider that wee shall be as a citty upon a hill.  The eies of all people are uppon us.  Soe that if wee shall deale falsely with our god in this worke wee haue undertaken, and soe cause him to withdrawe his present help from us, wee shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.” John Winthrop is saying that the puritans should live their lives as if they were living at the top of a hill and everyone could see them.  He wants people to be good puritans so they can set a good reputation on others. One similarity that John Winthrop and John F. Kennedy wrote about was that they were both using the phrase to make the same point about setting good examples for other people.  One difference that Winthrop and Kennedy wrote about was their meaning of the phrase “city upon a hill”.  Winthrop’s meaning of a “city upon a hill” has to do with religion and following all of Gods rules.  John F. Kennedys meaning of the phrase is about politics and the government.  

What it means to be an American

            To me, being an American is to have freedom and opportunities.  Americans have freedom of speech.  This means anyone can say their opinions and ideas whenever they want.  No one can stop you from saying what you want because you have the right to say whatever you want.  We also have freedom of religion in America.  This means that we have the right to practice any religion of our choice and we have the right to believe in whatever we want to.  There are so many different religions in the world and some other countries are not able to choose what religion they want to practice and what to believe in.  In America we can choose whatever religion we want from Jewish, to Catholic, to Protestant.  Americans also have the right to vote.  When you turn 18 years old, you are legal to vote.  Americans can vote for the president and vice president at the federal level.  For the state level, Americans vote for the states senators and congressmen, and for the town level, Americans vote for either a selectman or a mayor.  In November of 2012 all Americans that are 18 years or older will have the chance to vote for the next president and vice president of The United States.  Other countries in the world do not have this right.  Their leaders can be dictators that are in control of their countries governments for a life time.  Because of this, this is a powerful right that all Americans should use.  I know that when I am 18, I will definitely use my right to vote.  In America, we also have great opportunities.  America is considered the land of opportunity.  American citizens can have the choice to work hard and make a living for their family.  Americans have the freedom to start their own company, go to college to get their degree which will help you have a successful career in any job or field that you choose.  What it means to be an American can mean many different things to many different people.  For me, these are the reasons that make it great to be an American.