In prior years, today’s American holiday would prompt me to wax poetic about patriotism and how proud I am to be an American. That was in prior years. This year, I am not so proud to be an American. In fact, I am downright embarrassed to be one. Our leadership is a joke; the two-party system is equally so. The lack of empathy towards those who do not have a penis or are not white is appalling. Countries all over the globe are mocking the so-called president. Meanwhile, our government cannot get anything done.
So, instead of mentioning my patriotism, I think today, this year, is a great reminder of what we can do as a country when we come together. We can take on the largest empire in the world and win. We can create a new form of government, one that admittedly has problems but has lasted for over 200 years. We can be the forerunners in military might, science, math, and economics. We can do all these things because we did all these things. We might not be the mightiest anymore. Our school system sucks, and it has been a long time since we have been the leaders in science or math. But that does not mean things have to stay the same.
Today, as you are bombarded with the sappy song “Proud to be an American” or “God Bless America”, take a moment to remember that the people still run this country and that our leaders are elected to serve us. Keep calling. Keep fighting. Keep telling the elected representatives what is important to you. Eventually, they have to listen, and if they don’t, well, that’s what November 2018 is for.
Image: Nolite te bastardes carborundorum
" data-orig-size="500,625" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" aperture="aperture" />