Like it or not, it's hard to celebrate right now. American-style democracy is under serious attack today.
Much of what I love most about America is under serious challenge by a malevolent wannabe dictator, a weak and compliant Congress, and a Supreme Court determined to strip away our hard-fought rights.
His projects in DC are not to show a shining nation. It is to glorify and profit himself.
The reflecting pool is emblematic of that toxic makeover, and of his complete incompetence and buffoonery.
His takeover of the America 250 event, turning it from a celebration of the nation into a glorification of all things Tumpy, has resulted in the biggest failure of an event of this scale EVER. Melted ice cream, power outages, unattended musical acts, pitiful state booths, the dominance of Christian Nationalists, a cheesy, crumbling, Arch Du Drumpf, parts of the stage falling on performers, crippling heat with little air conditioning. The Great American State Fair is not just a failure; it is a complete and utter embarrassment.
And there is more to come. They plan on upping the fireworks from 20,000 to 850,000. That is a dangerous increase, environmentally and health-wise. If I had dogs there, I would be taking a trip to Williamsburg.
He is planning to give a speech on a day when the temperature could hit 107. He wants to impress people with how long he can go. I'll bet the stage will be fanned/air-conditioned. The audience watching it? Eh, not so much. Better have a giant fleet of ambulances ready.
The increase in democracy and equal representation/opportunity has never been a straight line in this country. The Civil War, the constitutional amendments, and Reconstruction were followed by Jim Crow and segregation. Civil rights movements in the 60s were followed by decades of backlash, encouraged by Reagan. The promise of Obama and "Yes, You Can" was followed by Trump and "No, You Can't."
American Democracy
July 4, 1766 - January 20, 2025
I'm sorry. That's the way I feel right now.
Change my mind.
Maybe it's too late.
But I hope not.
Find a way to celebrate what's best in this country.
And be sure to vote for people who will restore the American promise for ALL of its people.
Until next time,
T. M. Strait
AOC '28
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