King George

Can you imagine how our world would be without the event for which we celebrate today? I can't even begin to wrap my head around that and I consider myself a fairly imaginative person. I think it's appropriate that today, of all days, that citizens not only remember the bravery, the vision, and the arrogance which our forefathers embraced to form an independent nation, we must also remember the philosophical foundation they built our country upon. For those who haven't studied American History much, you may remember your history teacher/professor discussing Thomas Paine. Without giving an entire lesson on this man's life, the important element I think American citizens should know about Paine is that he believed that it only made Common Sense (also the name of his famous pamphlet) that if a nation's government was not taking care of the majority of the people the majority of the time, it was the RESPONSIBILITY of the people to overthrow the tyrannical government and replace it with a government that takes care of its people. Now, of course, Paine writes this in a much more eloquent fashion that I, but the message is the same. I mention this because of the manner in which our government is taking care of its people today ... ALL OF THE PEOPLE ... not just the ones who contribute money to politicians, but all of us.

I am not proposing a revolution or am I completely suggesting that George Bush and his administration are tyrannical ... but I am asking those of you who read my blog to consider one thing today: if our nation was founded upon the idea that a government should take care of its people, shouldn't our government "take care" of us by being truthful? I celebrate today, the day our country gained its independence, but I am also upset that our independence is the weapon Bush wields to explain away why he has our military fighting a war that cannot be won. Over 2500 men and women have been killed in the Iraq war (this number includes American contractors, too), and over 18,500 men and women have been injured. Please don't misunderstand ... I am in no way implying that we, as Americans, should not support our military. On the contrary, I thank each and every one for putting their life on the line to save mine ... they are doing their jobs, and by doing their jobs they protect my rights, such as having the right to blog my opinion. I get that ... I have no problem understanding that concept ... but what I do passionately oppose is sending those brave men and women to Iraq and attempt to finish a war our president's father couldn't finish. We only need to look at Vietnam to see how this war will end ...

Okay, I'll hop off my soap box and finish the laundry.