Independence Day Just Doesn't Feel The Same Anymore

Remembering America, the way it used to be....

No matter how hard I try, Independence Day just doesn't have the same meaning to me anymore.... A lot has happened to this awe inspiring nation, in those intervening 234 years; much of it good, and a whole lot of it bad. Of course, in the 1960's and 1970's - when I was growing up - there was still just a hint of her previous glory. Religion was yet to be criminalized, and Politics was something most Americans could still discuss peaceably among themselves - on most occasions.

Sure, America wasn't perfect back then, but the terms: Common Sense, Individual Freedom, and Human Decency still held some cultural and traditional meaning. For the most part, our political leadership still made a halfhearted attempt to listen to the voters and [even occasionally] cast votes that reflected it. Consequently, when July 4th invariably came around, it was still a time of historic celebration. After all, America might not have been perfect, but it was still a far greater nation than any other on the face of the Earth! We could [certainly] settle for that: "Bring Out The Fireworks."