The Fourth of July: Independence Day

In the United States, we celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July.  Independence Day commemorates the adoption of our Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, thus declaring our independence from Great Britain.  Many people use this date as the first day of the United States of America's existence as a free nation.

Many Americans view the Fourth of July almost the same way as they do Veterans Day and Memorial Day.  We seem to commemorate the veterans of all of our wars, not just the Revolutionary War, as well as all of the enlisted men and women who fought and died to defend our country (or the Union, or the Confederacy), or those who fought and died to defend the simple concepts of freedom and democracy for all. 

How long will the United States remain a free nation?  Economically, the United States is subject to China.  For decades Americans have purchased everything--from clothes to television sets to Barbie dolls to garlic--from China.  We are hard pressed to find items actually made in the United States for sale.

How long will the United States remain a free nation?

In spite of their economic turmoil, the currency of the European Union is worth more than the US dollar.  EU members can enjoy a pretty reasonably priced vacation in the United States, complete with three full meals a day, and not really feel it in the wallet.  In the meantime, our food prices are going up, American salaries and benefits are being frozen or cut back, and for the first time in a long time American children are not getting enough to eat.

How long will the United States remain a free nation?

After 9/11, Americans have silently conceded to the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration.  These two federal departments have made domestic and international travel for Americans a criminal offense, as all Americans--even those taking a plane from one city to another in the same state--are scanned and patted, and subject to more invasive searches upon the whim of a high school graduate with a uniform, a badge, and a taste of power.  We allow this, because the majority of Americans are convinced that terrorists walk among us, and we have nothing to fear if we are good, honest people.  Unless we are wearing a controversial Tshirt, or a questionable complexion. 

How long will the United States remain a free nation?

We are not free to smoke or drink during our spare time. 
We are not free to have casual sex.
We are not free to tell certain jokes or admit that we like certain celebrities.
But somehow...those in power have all the right, those with money have all the right, and those with money have all of the power and privilege without paying their fair share of federal and state taxes.

How long will the United States remain a free nation?

We are being actively discouraged from questioning the powers that be, and their actions.  In spite of corporate demands for employees with higher level critical thinking skills, American schools discourage students from asking questions and bombard them with standardized tests.  If any learning does take place, hopefully it would happen outside of school...

How long will the United States remain a free nation?

Slavery was officially made illegal in the United States through the Thirteenth Amendment of our Constitution in 1865, but industrial farms and food processing plants still use contractors that provide illegal labor, so they can be paid less than minimum wage and no benefits...or perhaps nothing at all.  There is no law on the books in the United States which states that a sex worker is entitled to her own earnings, which opens up the field for pimps and human traffickers.  Then there are those who will cycle in and out of the prison system for generations, millions of wasted potentials.

How long will the United States remain a free nation?