I Hate 4th Of July

[brandondrury]

I hate 4th of July.

Some people really hate Christmas. I don't. I love Christmas....even all the negative aspects.

4th of July is supposed to be summer fun, but we all just stay in the air conditioning these days. We eat. We fall asleep. We get drug out to look at fireworks that are awesome if you have the mind of an 8 year old or just happen to REALLY be in to fireworks. I'm not.

More importantly, the 4th of July is supposed to be a celebration of a rebellion from a "tyrannical" government. Few people mention the fact that taxes were MUCH higher after the Revolutionary War than before. Quite a few of our "heroes" made a killing off that war all for a system that was more oppressive to livelihood. Most of the reason to go to war to begin with were grossly distorted to push a specific agenda.

I'm not sure how oppressive the US government has been towards me (minus the IRS and a few speeding tickets). I can pretty much do my thing, I guess. However, it is those taxes that define freedom, mostly. At least that's what the Greeks thought when they invented the word. (Freedom = No Taxes). The argument gets blurred in situations where spending cash collectively has had benefits to the common citizen, but we are way past that now.

By the standards of the Revolutionary War era, we were probably due for another one about 1914 or so when the income tax system was implemented. (Nothing like using a persons built-in racism as a tool for conquest.)

So July 4th to me is just a bunch of people who've screwed the country over for their own profit (where a big chunk of the national debt is) laughing while everyone else celebrates it. July 4th doesn't feel right to me.

Brandon

[cakewalkgg]

now were gonna get taxed for healthcare... and you know once the government is paying for it they are gonna minimize cost by telling (requiring) that we live healthy by their definition and agree to throw in the towel when were gonna be too expensive for the system. I can't wait for the day our shoes have GPS in them to monitor so big brother can fine us for not getting enough excersize.

[Jeronimo Mora]

'murica!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stan_Halen]

Every person, or nation, has those "look what we did" moments that they want to perpetuate into eternity. Particularly when they shook off some "oppressor" that had a choke-hold on them. It could be your parents, or a foreign power. As I recall, the Greeks invented "democracy", though not necessarily freedom. A key distinction is that "liberty" is an inner choice of how you want to live your life ... "freedom" is the absence of restrictions on you. As in "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", vs. "freedom from tyranny and oppression". We choose liberty, in the ability to live our lives the way we want to. Our government offers freedom from a way of life that would restrict our choices.

Look at it as "life in this country doesn't suck" Day if you wish. There are lots worse places to be, such as China, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and Iran. Very few of those guys can barbecue, drink beer and pass out, and shoot off fireworks in their back yard, all in the same day.

[garww]

I still hold to the promise. Out of the seven years I've been in this location, I've only got to the county fair twice and the 4th once. There was some other parade I got to (Memorial, maybe) and I saw my first Civil Flag - something that should be all over the place. Your idealog is only as good or bad as the people behind it.

[cakewalkgg]

I can't hate the 4th though.... its one of those days that when I work I make "fun" money while doing an "un-fun" job... Brandon commented on this on another thread

[garageband]

Greeks invented "democracy", though not necessarily freedom.

Sounds Germanic to me.

[Stan_Halen]

Sounds Germanic to me.

"In the year 507 B.C., the Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced a system of political reforms that he called demokratia, or “rule by the people.” Although this Athenian democracy would survive for only two centuries, Cleisthenes’ invention was one of ancient Greece’s most enduring contributions to the modern world."
Ancient Greek Democracy — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts

It's Greek for sure, not Germanic. Not to be confused with "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work Brings Freedom) which was blazoned across many Nazi concentration camp entrances.

While it's debatable what "rule by the people" means, rule by ruthless dictators is quite obvious.

[garww]

You can fly the Liberty (Sons of Liberty) flag on your Libert Pole. You can fly any of the revolutionary flags and past official flags ( for now, anyway) That don't mean you won't get on the Official Terrorist list of some agency or Fraternal Club.

[shackman]

Few people mention the fact that taxes were MUCH higher after the Revolutionary War than before. Quite a few of our "heroes" made a killing off that war all for a system that was more oppressive to livelihood. Most of the reason to go to war to begin with were grossly distorted to push a specific agenda.
Brandon

Don't get any ideas of the Brits coming to rescue you from your current "tyrannical" 1 per cent.

Just remeber: we gave you your language, your "democracy", your "legal" system AND lower taxes. You guys screwed those up all by yourselves!! (breaks out into hysterical selfish, gobsmackingly painful laughter")


PS Why don't we have a smiley for hysterical selfish, gobsmackingly painful laughter!

TONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[garageband]

It's Greek for sure, not Germanic.

freedom (n.) O.E. freodom

Old English, it looks like. Still, I'm closer than you on that guess. BTW, in dictionaries, O.G. doesn't stand for "Original Gangster".

Just remeber: we gave you your language, your "democracy", your "legal" system AND lower taxes.

Don't forget a healthy appetite for conquest and annexation.

[garww]

Most of the Territory was New Spain, anyway. And until recently, the population was mostly germanic for much of it's existance. It's still pretty Puritan as far as structure goes - people fleeing oppresive situations in religion, followed by political, ethnic/race oppression, and continual starvation. Our Founding Documents are not just based on European enlightenment, but on the best ideals from around the known world. Though there are certainly more islands of light where a oppressed population might flee to, it's still a very difficult thing to accomplish for many people.

There are a lot of Krauts in this country, I wouldn't piss 'em off : )