There's nothing I love more than posting patriotic music, but I'm not in much of a July Fourth mood this Fourth. You see, like a lot of people, I expected our present President to do a great many things that he has not done (or, in some instances, has merely half-done). I knew when I voted for Obama that he was no progressive, and I've never placed much faith in his words--not, at least, since the D. Primary, during which he simultaneously promised 1) to push for universal health care and 2) to not require everyone to participate in his health care plan. Of course, 1) and 2) are mutually impossible, since "universal" means everyone. This was my first experience of O. changing his story to fit the audience. And not being the least bit careful about it. You know, as if no one would notice.
So, when he promises a troop withdrawal which doesn't amount to an actual troop withdrawal, he's being Obama As Usual. And when he shows such cruel and casual disregard for the rights and well-being of our soldiers, he's being Cheney As Usual. The GOP As Usual, even. Meaning that nothing has improved regarding our culture's perception of service members and their spouses and families as a sub-class to be stiffed (or turned into stiffs) without a second thought. As we all know, if the draft suddenly reappeared--i.e., if going off to die in Afghanistan and/or Iraq became an equal-opportunity possibility, the war(s) would be over really quick, what with the carnage no longer restricted to those we're willing to send in death's way. It's the truth, and we know it.
Meanwhile, and more than ever, rights and opportunities belong to those who can most afford them. Our founders may have been pompous blowhards with no concept of popular democracy as we conceive it, but they didn't want business in charge of government. They were smart--they knew the dangers involved. Or, name two big differences between our founders and us.
In a way, I wish our democracy was going to the dogs--canines, like cats, love people way more than people do. No, things are just dandy. That is, if you're rich--i.e., if you matter. I know we all dream of one day mattering, but really, what are the odds?
Like so many, I've been waiting years for things to become more humane and more fair in the U.S.A., or to even so much as drift in that direction. And I have no choice but to keep waiting. But I don't have to go through the motions of pretending that this place warrants the big pat on the back that is Independence Day. At one point, we had earned it, but somehow we forgot that blessings, if not properly honored and maintained, expire like everything else.
Lee
