Thanksgiving is upon us and there is much to reflect on. In my lifetime, Thanksgiving was, until recently, one of those feel-good holidays where it seemed that as Americans, we had a shared sense of pride and thankfulness for the country we call home. With family and often with friends, it was a day to reflect on our many blessings and to thank God for the good fortunes we enjoy as Americans. Thanksgiving was an occasion not only to acknowledge our gratitude; it marked the start of the coming Christmas season. This sort of unapologetic celebration of American tradition was bound to draw the ire of the left.

I will admit to first being amused, but later stunned by the notion that the Thanksgiving holiday should be characterized as a symbol of European colonialism, but to the left, politics knows no bounds, no traditions are safe. During the Obama administration, the President urged his supporters not to give thanks to our Creator on Thanksgiving, but instead to use the holiday as an opportunity to "get in the face" of relatives to push his health care scheme. Democrats on the Internet have continued that divisive tradition by putting out helpful tips on "trolling your Trump supporting relatives" at Thanksgiving. Until more recently, one could always count on tuning out politics by resorting to the tradition of Thanksgiving Day football on television. Now, however, even this once safe space has been violated by liberals wearing cleats who refuse to stand for the American flag and our national anthem -- the flag and the anthem of the country that has made them millionaires for playing games. Another simple holiday pleasure ruined by the left, and like many others, I will find other traditions besides professional football to enjoy on Thanksgiving.

What has America done to earn such disrespect? According to liberals, America is a land of social injustice, but even as liberals denigrate our country, thousands of people who are supposedly the object of American intolerance trek hundreds of miles risking life and limb to try to come here. Why? They could have ended their journey in the more progressive socialist land of Mexico or traveled south to Venezuela but chose not to. The answer is obvious, for whatever faults it may have, America is still the beacon of freedom, opportunity, and individual liberty. It makes one wonder why those who are citizens of this country sometimes seem to value it so little when those who are not will risk everything to try to come here. Maybe we could arrange a swap?

To all my liberal friends and colleagues, give all the craziness and lecturing and hectoring a rest for one day. Take stock of the freedoms and the bounty we are blessed with in this country, enjoy your family and friends. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.