Happy Fourth of July. Or Not.
It’s Okay Not to Love the USA
Last weekend, Me, Anonymous, and a few friends traveled to Harpers Ferry to ride tubes down a section of the Shenandoah River.
It was a peak American summer day. We spent equal time traveling there, on the water, and discovering a new brewery. It was fun!
On the way out to bake on an inner tube on a surprisingly fast-riding rocky river, the topic of the 4th of July came up. We were joking around when a friend mentioned they might miss all the parties because they would likely spend their day burning the American flag in protest.
One friend lamented that we should be able to love America, just not love our president.
To which the flag-burning friend and I respectfully disagreed.
We aren’t obligated ever to love our country. Especially now.
The Fireworks Have Been Here for a While
Doesn’t this Fourth of July feel different?
At this time last year, President Biden was experiencing the fallout of a terrible presidential debate, and it would be another few weeks before pressure mounted and he resigned. His endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris vaulted her to the top of the ticket and the Democratic Party leader, and in the end, we all know what happened.
We chose to accept insurrection, cruelty, and corruption.
What is there to celebrate?
Yesterday, the Republican majority of the United States Congress passed a bill that not one constituency was pushing for. It ripped millions of people off Medicaid and SNAP, while pumping more money into immigration enforcement and our military. It extended tax benefits for the rich and tried to pay for them by denying the poor life-sustaining safety nets. In summary, we wanted to help the wealthy, and while doing that, we plan to bomb and cage a ton of brown people. USA! USA! USA!
I’ve written about how we have already lost to the tech titans who wish to live forever and ensure democracy gets smothered with a pillow.
Our Supreme Court is an unethical and corrupt institution that decided that national injunctions weren’t a thing in 1789 and shouldn’t be a thing now. So we are one step closer to tossing out the 14th Amendment.
There’s blatant bribery done in the open, where law firms and media outlets pay the president for the opportunity to provide free legal advice, say nice things about him, and help build his future Presidential Library of Lies.
These are just a few recent examples of a country in decline. Any additional highlights of the scandals or head-scratching moves would just further depress you and me.
Celebrate You
All I can say is control what you can. Eat some potato salad, but be sure to make it properly. Remember what July 4, 1776, was about.
Watch some baseball. Drink plenty of water. And try not to spend a ton of time angry.
Despite all of this nonsense, we will still get together. Anonymous and I are hosting our annual Fourth of July party today for neighbors, friends, and family. The party begins mid-afternoon, and then around 9:00, those at the house pack up and head to the Capitol to see the fireworks on the National Mall.
We have a great view of the Washington Memorial, and frankly, I love that I can walk a few blocks there and back, and never have to worry about crowds, because the crowds are our neighbors! Also, I don’t have to go to work the next day!
I’m grateful for many things, including you all who support Okay History. Despite my lack of love for the USA right now, I remain hopeful for a day when we can feel we are on a trajectory to something better.
So enjoy the 4th of July. Or not. It’s okay.
I’ll see you on Monday.
Okay,
Chris
