Happy (belated) Independence Day

It occurred to me that I hadn't done a post on Independence Day, which is really the best day of the year to point out how far this country has drifted from the original ideals of its founding. Beyond the fact that we're all waving red, white and blue instead of the British cross -- and that I retain the freedom to write this in the first place -- I continue to be deeply disturbed by the gross abuse of power that has corrupted our way of life.

Torturing our enemies, invading countries that don't directly threaten us militarily, curbing civil liberties -- the list goes on, and everyday this nation goes a bit farther down the rabbit hole.

But probably the worst symptom of our decaying willingness to be free is the notion that dissent is unpatriotic. In fact, it is exactly that mindset that leads to the ugly reality of fascism -- without a solid belief that revolution against a dominant power is sometimes necessary to maintain a free society, as Thomas Jefferson said, we are susceptible to losing our freedom. The political tyrants currently holding our government in a stranglehold against the Constitution want nothing more than a society of docile, powerless sheep.

Since Sept. 11, Americans who fancy themselves patriots have increasingly fallen into this delusion that to be a good citizen in a time of uncertainty, one must blindly follow the leaders who may or may not have our best interests in mind. Yet, this country was founded on dissent and upheaval against forces that sought to oppress us or serve their own interests over those of the people. I would even dare to say this: Supporting a society that is free of protest is inherently un-American. It is absolutely unpatriotic to stifle dissension. The people who say "if you don't like it, you should leave" -- as if disagreement were grounds for dismissal -- are exactly the kind of people who will destroy this dream of independence.

Thomas Jefferson, the man who masterminded the document that declared our independence from the mighty grip of monarchy, had the rumblings of revolution in many of the same quotes repeated by people who longingly defend a society that blindly follows its highly corruptible leaders. Americans would be well-served to remember his message: "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."

Oh, and fuck Bush.