I have recently heard comments that really perturb me. While watching one of the major networks interview a variety of people who were living abroad, I head comments like this one from a couple living in China: “Now we can reveal our true identity since we have a newly elected president.”Others living in various places in Europe stated, “Now we can celebrate; it is popular to be American again.”I am 80 years old and can never remember a time when I wasn’t proud to be an American. Just because one doesn’t agree with every policy, regulation, or action of others, doesn’t make this a bad country. If we would stop and think of all the blessing surrounding us, how can we be so critical?Yes, there is always room for improvement; we should correct inequities, which we have done as a nation, from time to time, and I pray we shall continue to do so.Our nation has done more to promote democracy, give aid to the needy peoples worldwide, and care for the helpless, perhaps in a greater measure than all other countries combined.If America is such a horrible place, why is it that most of the world would move to our shores tomorrow if it were possible?I normally vote Republican; however, come Jan. 20, Barack Obama will be my president, and I shall pray for him as our leader, and the Lord surely knows that anyone occupying that office needs all the prayers he can get.Creston EckartIndianapolis