America the Buytiful
So happy Fourth of July. :) We had a nice enough day. But I couldn't help but feel a little sad at what I saw on this Independence Day. For the past eight Fourths I was living in a foreign country. There were no fireworks. Everything was open as usual. No families in the park cooking hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. Just an ordinary day. I woke with a bit of excitement today, thinking of this my first Fourth back in the USA.
I am reminded of a song by Rascal Flatts called Mayberry. Maybe you know it. It's one of my favorites. "I miss Mayberry..." it says. And one line in particular, "Where Sunday was a day of rest. Now it's one more day for progress." Well, today was a Wednesday, not a Sunday, but I had the same feeling. Oh sure. The post office was closed. The library. Certain other places that would otherwise be open. But the mall was in full gear as were other places of commerce. What a disappointment. Used to be the Fourth of July was sacred. And it wasn't that long ago.
So what's happened to American patriotism? It's one of the things that used to make me so proud to be an American. That bond that united me with people I didn't even know. We were all Americans, and proud of it.
Yeah, ok, I realize that just because someone opens their store on Independence Day doesn't mean they aren't patriotic. But for me, it just doesn't feel right. We're so caught up in buying and selling. Making money. Acquiring things. I guess this post goes hand in hand with yesterday's, because we're just too busy. How much will it hurt business to close down for one day to honor our great country? I'm not a business owner, so maybe I'm asking that because I'm naive. But I think it's a sad commentary on our society when we are that bogged down by work that we aren't willing to give up one day of our time to spend with family and friends. And let employees be outside in the middle of summer, enjoying some freedom! Isn't that what the Fourth is about? Freedom?
I say we aren't free. Not as long as we are bound to our new sovereign, King Dollar.
I am reminded of a song by Rascal Flatts called Mayberry. Maybe you know it. It's one of my favorites. "I miss Mayberry..." it says. And one line in particular, "Where Sunday was a day of rest. Now it's one more day for progress." Well, today was a Wednesday, not a Sunday, but I had the same feeling. Oh sure. The post office was closed. The library. Certain other places that would otherwise be open. But the mall was in full gear as were other places of commerce. What a disappointment. Used to be the Fourth of July was sacred. And it wasn't that long ago.
So what's happened to American patriotism? It's one of the things that used to make me so proud to be an American. That bond that united me with people I didn't even know. We were all Americans, and proud of it.
Yeah, ok, I realize that just because someone opens their store on Independence Day doesn't mean they aren't patriotic. But for me, it just doesn't feel right. We're so caught up in buying and selling. Making money. Acquiring things. I guess this post goes hand in hand with yesterday's, because we're just too busy. How much will it hurt business to close down for one day to honor our great country? I'm not a business owner, so maybe I'm asking that because I'm naive. But I think it's a sad commentary on our society when we are that bogged down by work that we aren't willing to give up one day of our time to spend with family and friends. And let employees be outside in the middle of summer, enjoying some freedom! Isn't that what the Fourth is about? Freedom?
I say we aren't free. Not as long as we are bound to our new sovereign, King Dollar.
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