It's Independence Day and everyone is writing about how wonderful it is to be an American. This has been a topic of interest for the Presidential candidates of late too. I understand the Obama's when they say things that are often misunderstood, such as "for the first time in my adult life I'm proud of my country." That came from Michele Obama if you didn't know. People were all in an uproar about that and other similar quotes from both Michelle and Barrack.
I'm an Independent voter - I care not for either of the traditional parties. I don't find either of these candidates very exciting when you peel away the media hype. But, these statements have got me thinking about what did they mean.
Just like everyone else, when I was a kid, I loved the flag, Flag Day, the 4th of July, and all the other national holidays and symbols. I grew up in a small Democratic town on the east coast near Washington DC. It's a very politically active community and we had huge parades that all the local and state level politicians marched in, shaking hands along the parade route. People took pride in our similarities and differences, and how well we blended together to form this vive rant community.
It's not like that today. The parade is still held, but it's lost it's luster. No, it's not because I'm now grown up. It's because people don't feel the same way about their country, community, or neighborhood. The atmosphere surrounding national holidays has changed from a celebration of our national heritage, our freedoms, and our democratic system that has served us well for over 200 years. Nope - today it's about sales, eating, and time off from work. The only thing that's the same is the fireworks. (Thank goodness we still have fireworks.)
In this plasticized commercialized society we live in, what does it now mean to be an American? Are you proud of our bloated overweight lifestyle that we've exported to ruin other countries? Are you proud of our leaders who have used fear tactics to bully us so we don't question the industrial combat that's being waged against us from within our own country? Are you proud that Americans are now coach potatoes, allowing the TV to do their thinking for them? Are you proud that we are now among the lowest ranking industrialized countries in our educational scores? Are you proud of our gridlock and pollution? I could go on... Like it or not, this is the Simple, Simple truth.
All these things are just outward symptoms of a country that's lost its way, become lazy, and is on its way down the slippery slope to.... where?
On this Independence Day, don't sit there basking in the accomplishments of past generations. Get motivated to do something to save our country for this and for future generations.
Enjoy the fireworks tonight. And, pray for political fireworks that are much needed to get us back on track, for we've lost our way.
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