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It depends on what camp your in? Historically the label does not really exist. People ( Indians we call them ) were here long before Amerigo Vespucci was credited for the naming of. I use to think a true American meant anyone who took pride in being an American. Today I'm not so sure. Too many anti-inclusionist ( my word )have taken claim to the term.

There was a beautiful statement that I think was from Dorothy Thompson that said what and American is. I'm trying to find it. Does anybody remember how it went? Zochitl

I believe the term is rather meaningless in itself. It could be argued endlessly without ever arriving at any mutually agreeable conclusion. But I suppose that it does provide something for old farts to debate when lacking more productive things to do.

A true American believes in meritocracy , where each individual is allowed to rise and prosper purely upon individual merit . A true American believes in a limited government which only serves to provide essential services and to keep abuses by the powerful in check .A true American does not see his government as the policeman of the world and the sole arbiter of what is right and wrong in every country in the world .A true American believes in keeping the cancer of religious belief out of politics .

" A true American " is simply a compliment paid by one American to another. It can also be a trigger for negative responses among those to whom the compliment was not made. Those negative responses help to demonstrate why the compliment was not made to them, as well as to the recipient of the compliment.
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I guess a true American is one who is born here, loves his country -- may have disparate political views from his neighbor as to what will preserve it and make it stronger.

He understands his role as a citizen, stays informed, participates in government by voting his conscience and ideals. He cares enough to take an active role in his community as a good neighbor, educates himself and his (or her) young so they can be productive citizens. He obeys the law and is not afraid to challenge those laws and leaders he believes need change.

A good citizen leans the Constitution and to the best of his or her ability its history and will keep vigilant to preserve its integrity against those who would trespass against it in the halls of congress or their state.

A true American understands and embraces the principles upon which our country was founded, the dignity of every person, without regard to race, religion, class or country of origin and treats every other American as deserving of the same dignity he expects for himself. He does not discriminate or disparage other Americans nor tolerate those that do.

That's my definition.

Good definition, GG.

GG got it right, IMHO. A true American is any citizen who loves his country. His politics don't matter. Too many seem to issue that "compliment" to those who agree with their particular political opinion and whether they mean to or not, they imply that those who don't agree with them are not true Americans.

Ah shit...(splash...a cold bucket of vomit is thrown into this codswallop of self congratulatory rubbish). I normally can't disagree with ya Gotham but that little diatribe while it can't be disputed can't be substantiated either.

Check out your last paragraph. I guess everyone born before 1950 was an alien and many more born after. Ask any black person if they've ever been abused. Ask any black man if they've ever been alienated from their own countrymen by the racist bullshit perpetrated by the "American" way. Ask a white man why a black man couldn't give blood to a white man in 1950. Gawwwwd!!! we've been stupid.

The self congratulatory apple pie and the American Way make me sick. It's worked for many years to send young men off to war to do battle for old mens' political battles but please spare me now. I'm too old to battle and too young to die for nothing.

Umm, I fail to see your point, JB. GG's post included every race, creed, religion, political stance, etc. It is you who seems to want to exclude certain peoples in certain eras. Not to mention your own judgmental BS kind of makes me ill.