God Bless the U.S.A?

Did you celebrate Independence Day?

Now, I’m not asking if you treated yourself to an extra huge barrel of buttered popcorn and a gargantuan soda (for a mere $35) while watching Independence Day: Resurgence – the sequel to the original that came out around two decades ago. The original stars Will Smith, the sequel does not. Just saying. 

image from: bloody-disgusting.com

No. What I want to know is, did you knowingly participate in our nation’s celebration of the day we declared our independence from Great Britain, eventually becoming a nation founded on the principles of freedom and representative government.

I’m guessing that, if you are a reader of this blog, you did, indeed, celebrate this past July 4^th. I’m also speculating that in addition to fireworks, grilled meat, maybe some sort of water (ocean water, pool water, watermelon), you celebrated with a time of reflection on and thanks to those patriots who made this grand democratic experiment possible. You probably also considered those in uniform who have and still are protecting our country. Finally, I would imagine you thanked God for our nation and the freedoms that go along with being an American.

Finally, I would bet good money that you are quite familiar with Lee Greenwood’s patriotic song God

image from: hallels.com

Bless the U.S.A. and probably heard that song at least twice on the 4^th.  In fact, if you are a reader of this blog you probably know every word by heart and have dreamed of singing it during your church’s celebration of liberty, the seventh inning stretch of the World Series, or at the Republican National Convention. Wait, that would not be allowed – note to self: squash that dream.

God bless the U.S.A.

Not only is it a meaningful song, but it’s also a wonderful sentiment. But, is it a true sentiment today? Hillary Clinton included it at the conclusion of her speech at the DNC. Does she really mean it? Do most politicians and other high-profile types?

Let’s look at the song from today’s perspective:

If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life – Until recently, this would only be possible in the even of a natural disaster. Today, though, this is a real concern. Civil asset forfeiture, federal land grabbing, imminent domain, gun control, over-regulation of small businesses, over taxation. These are all legitimate threats. Plus, this is assuming you worked for and earned those “things” mentioned in the tune.  There are around 10 million in our country who are officially unemployed. America has more people on food stamps (nearly 50 million) than Canada has citizens. So, saying you actually worked for something might be a bit of a jump these days.

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife – Whoa, whoa, whoa. If the whole working line wasn’t offensive enough, you’re now telling me you have a wife? A husband, wife and kids. That was then. This is now: Facebook offers 51 gender options, New York City has 31 different genders that businesses must accommodate. Less than half of Americans 18 and older are married. Speaking of marriages, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can marry nation-wide. So, if you are in the minority and actually married, there’s no guarantee that the couple is a man and woman. More American women (or whatever gender they identify with) are reaching their 40’s without bearing children. Plus, there are nearly 14 million single parents raising 22 million children today – more than a quarter of the children under 21. If you are a man (and consider yourself a man) and are married to a woman (who considers herself a woman) and have a child or children, you are in the minority. So, pushing this Leave it to Beaver lifestyle may be offensive, and as we all know the Declaration of Independence clearly states that we have the right to not be offended. 

I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today – Well, astrology IS still alive and kicking, unless you mean Hollywood stars, which are worshipped sickeningly today. Then you might as well go with Scientology.

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away. – Can’t take away our flags or our freedom? Either way, don’t bet on it. An apartment manager in Texas, yes THAT Texas, told a resident to remove his American Flag because it might be seen as a threat to the Muslim community. What?!? A San Diego State University student had to remove his American flag because foreigners might find it offensive. HOA’s, colleges, businesses, apartments and other areas are taking the flags. Do I even need to begin the discussion on the erosion of our freedoms? I don’t think you want to read a post that long. It would take days to write. Suffice it to say that the regulatory, entitlement, politically correct, nanny state we’ve become continues to deconstruct that which our founders shed blood, sweat, and tears to create.

The second verse covers the lakes of Minnesota, the hills of Tennessee, the plains of Texas, Detroit, Houston, New York, L.A. – these places are still here.  Of course there are border issues, safe zones, crime-ridden gang-infested neighborhoods not mentioned in particular. From sea to shining sea might be a stretch (not literally, even though it is). Should a sea that is filled with pollution, fish killers, dying reefs, and melted ice be considered shining?  I guess environmental extremists could adjust this line for us.

So that takes us to the refrain:

And I’m proud to be an American – Oh yeah? Have you noticed the American Apologist speech and actions of our current administration and media? It is one of the more obscure tenets of the current progressive movement.

Where at least I know I’m free – That's what "they" want you to believe...

And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me – See American Apologist

And I’ll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today – With the decimation of our military at the hands of our government, this may not even be possible. Plus, as long as there is a chance of fighting and <gasp> death, and not just making money and gaining experience for college and career, today’s typical youth aren’t interested. Notice I said typical – there are lots of atypical courageous souls out there who I admire tremendously.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land – Yes, Lee, I believe you do. Not sure that’s true across the board for all Americans.

God Bless the U.S.A – And there it is. I just wonder how much longer stations will be allowed to air this song.

Folks, our nation has undoubtedly been blessed. It took the hand of God to secure our independence from Great Britain. It took the hand of God to retain this freedom and wave of prosperity. But now we are turning our backs on God as a nation. We are beginning to reap that which we’ve sown.

So, has God blessed the U.S.A? Certainly. Will that continue? I think not if we continue this downward spiral away from morality. It’s no coincidence that the more we remove God from our society, the more dangerous our society becomes. Sweeping God out the door catches many of our founders’ principles with it and leaves it open for communistic and socialistic beliefs. The decline of the family and the rise of a tyrannical federal leviathan – connected.  Interests over principles. Ugh!

It appears obvious that we can’t rely on politics to take us back to the days when Lee Greenwood’s song rang true across the nation. The next 4 years with either of our possible candidates is horrifying.  Many of us can’t turn to family – there may be none. Educational system? Ha! In many places a hotbed of that which is ruining us. So where should we turn? To whom do we appeal for recovery?

Take a guess…

Ask Lee. I think he knows someone.