Thoughts on the Fourth
I realize that there has always been a gap between the ideals of this country, and the reality.
The founding fathers could write words that sang poetry and and offered practical wisdom> They somehow not only rebelled against the British Empire (which India and Ireland can tell you was a major feat), but actually dared to experiment in Democracy. Yet all of them owned slaves, and also had their hands dipped in the blood of genocide of the First Nations, as well as other wars, especially George Washington himself.
This nation has offered many people asylum, many who eventually became pillars in the American society, people who made everything from pop tunes (Irving Berlin) Steel mills (Carnegie) to computer chips (Andrew Grove.) Yet, the reason it does so is because the rich want and need cheap labor to exploit. It was true for Irish, is true for Latin Americans, and will be true far whoever else comes in. There is also, despite the mix of cultures here, the fact that the "melting pot" always puts pressure to lose the culture, and, as our current president shows, a lot of America will never accept you, even if you were raised in the culture.
This nation has been capable of great heroism, at home and abroad. Yes, Europe, I do realize that the US could not have won the World Wars without you, that the John Wayne narrative taught in schools is bunk. However, it might also be said that you would not have won the World Wars without our support, which included everything from supplies to the blood of young Americans, soaked into your soil. And most would rather not sample the world where a Stalin-led USSR was not kept in check. It is one thing to debate the merits of communism versus capitalism, but even Slavoj Zizek knows the USSR was neither. On the other hand, the US is addicted to War. And our elites are addicted to turning blood into gold, and green lands to waste. From land mines to Depleted uranium, this nations has left scars that cannot heal, even with time.
So what do i think about the 4th. I may be angry at what so called patriots have done with my nation, I also realize that this nation allows Americans a fighting chance that no, is not too common in the world. As bad as things have become here, I know that I would not be able to write this in China, Russia, or for that matter, most if the Mideast. We in America will always be between ruin and glory, knowing that our choices can tip the scale. We will be the ones that produce great wonders, or great horrors, a nation always under the old curse of "may you live in interesting times." I say that America still has much to prove, and much to accomplish, the question is, can we bring our elites to heel once again?
Don't be fooled by the Tea party folks in the made in China tri cornered hats. The real revolutionaries are those who will bring the new aristocracy to heel.
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