Category Archives: 4th of July

4th of July, America, Americana Music, Blogging, Community, Faith, Memories, Mental Health, Voting

Happy Birthday, America

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Happy Birthday to you, America, I guess.

Please forgive me for not feeling as enthusiastic about your special day as I did when you turned 200.

Of course, at the time, I was 9 years-old, living a safe, somewhat sheltered, comfortable life with my family in a small town in northern Minnesota. I rode my red, white, and blue bike in the 4th of July parade that year. Carefree and happy to celebrate you with my family and friends.

Let’s just say I’m conflicted about celebrating your birthday this time around. On one hand, I grieve for you and what you have become on account of three things: greed, hatred, and fear. On the other hand, I’m pissed at you. You got played so hard by our current administration and their allies and associates. Decisions you made and “truths” you were groomed to believe have put us in one hell of a mess.

Your flag, which is the greatest physical manifestation of who you are (next to the Statue of Liberty) has been used and abused by those seeking power over you and yours. You’ve allowed it to become sullied. Disrespected.

The people that thought you up are long gone now, but surely the state you are currently in was not their vision.

It’s time for you, (and me and you and you, and you), to start taking you more seriously and stop taking you for granted. One could argue it’s past time.

I can only speak for myself, but there are things that can be done to put you on the right track. Speaking up and speaking out in ways that feel authentic, staying informed about current events and sharing what you learn with others, and voting for candidates that most closely align with American values, like civil liberties and justice for all.

(Yes, I am a proud card-carrying member of the ACLU and you, my kind and smart readers, ought to consider financially supporting this vital organization).

My hope is that when you turn 251 next year, you will be in much better shape. I hope by then you will have weathered the storm that began in earnest in 1980 (with the election of Ronald Reagan) and picked up speed in 2025. That you will finally have realized in your soul that when we work together, we all benefit.

We can pause the news cycle to sit down and look at each other and figure out the best ways to get you in better shape. So you can continue on and be there, in all your glory, for generations to come. We must shine our brightest lights to lead the way for you to become who you were intended to be: a place where people are all on equal footing, the air and water is clean, tyrants are not tolerated, and other countries like yourself trust and believe in you.

Because I believe in you still.

As Senator Paul Wellstone from Minnesota said: “We all do better when we all do better”.

With Sincerity,

An American Woman

The song I’m sharing today is a cover of a famous Woody Guthrie song, which I think all of you are familiar with. The cover is done by an American rock band that I’m starting to dig more and more these days, My Morning Jacket.

Do yourself a favor and stop what you’re doing and revel in this masterpiece of a song, a loving ode to America.

4th of July, America, democracy, Diversity, Hope, Mindset

It’s the 4th of July

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And I’ve got some thoughts and feelings to share.

I’m hesitant to celebrate this day, because I’m just so disappointed in where we are as a nation. My heart feels heavy and my natural optimistic tendencies are waning.

As you all are likely aware, the bill that strips the poor of their health care, will likely lead to the closure of rural hospitals (like the one my newest grandson was born at), takes food away from families that rely on SNAP, greatly increases spending for the ICE thugs to kidnap and disappear both law-abiding undocumented immigrants and American citizens alike, while giving billionaires tax cuts that will surely not “trickle down” to benefit working folks like you and me, passed in the Senate yesterday.

My fellow Americans, the country we grew up in is not the same. It’s been reshaped by greed and cruelty. We have fallen so far. Our nation’s people have been monumentally manipulated by power-hungry, evil actors.

My biggest hope is that we’ll somehow get ourselves out of this horrific mess. A revolution, powered by the people of America, is needed now. I sense it is coming. I pray it will be peaceful, but I recognize that is unrealistic. There’s too much anger (the righteous kind) amongst our populace and we’re scrappy…right? There’s so many of us that did not consent to this baloney.

Suffice it to say, I’m unable to muster any sense of pride in America today.

The best I can do is continue to speak out, stand up for what is right, and focus on the America that could be. The America that celebrates the immigrant. The America that feeds the hungry and lifts up the poor. The America that stands for due process and the freedom to love, live, and pursue each citizen’s own version of happiness. The America that works to preserve democracy, the health of our planet, and the well-being of all the people living here.

So, Happy Independence Day to those who celebrate and those whose heart is just not in it this year.

I may not be proud of America at the moment, but I love her anyway.