Why Do We Even Bother Celebrating the 4th of July???

on-ramp · 06:02 PM

i don't know why we even bother celebrating the 4th of July anymore. What's the point ?

Our gumnt/Bush & Co. seem more interested in setting their own convicted criminals free than actually doing the people's business, like securing the border, etc...It seems our government is out of control, out of touch. They cater more to the special interest groups, the corporations, the lobbyists, to the rich and powerful. And equal protection under the law? forget about it... their illegal wiretapping, illegal invasion of Iraq on the cloak of fear of WMDS. Fear is their business and business is good!

Seriously, folks. Does anyone really know or care what this holiday truly stands for anymore? Or is it just an excuse to get away from work for a day, sit in traffic under the blazing sun, get drunk at the beach, and set off a few firecrackers?
America IS truly Lost. the 4th of July is supposed to be a Patriotic holiday but I see fewer and fewere "patriots" these days. People are becoming very disappointed. It's a cut-throat society. dog eat dog.

God Bless the All-mighty Dollar !

mjshira · 07-03-2007, 04:28 PM

Do you feel better?

Seriously, it sounded like you needed to get that off your chest. Vent away, but the bottomline is that we have the gov't we deserve. I mean that we let happen what is happening and if enough people wanted something different to happen (like with the recent im. bill) something different would happen.

The 4th is something that is recognized by us all in our own way. I hope you will in your own way. Think about how people felt in the 60's, things did get better, and things will get better in the future in this case also.

on-ramp · 07-03-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mjshira
I mean that we let happen what is happening and if enough people wanted something different to happen (like with the recent im. bill) something different would happen.

are you sure about that? the republicans and democrats are made from the same crap. there is no choice come voting time.
oh and yes, i do feel better. thank you for asking

rouxroux · 04:33 PM

Sorry you feel that way. No, America is not lost, some people just want to throw in the towel. I guess you're buying into that as well.

As far as "pardons", here's ONE DAY for comparison...recognize any names (or "reasons")? Sorry, that dog won't hunt.

http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm#january2022001 Be sure to look at 1/20/2001!

Yes, I know what the 4th stands for, and will continue to celebrate. As for you, pick a better country if you wish. Maybe one without helicopters... maybe?

HAPPY 4th!

on-ramp · 07-03-2007, 04:32 PM

no sir. i care enough to bring the issue out in the forefront.

mjshira · 07-03-2007, 04:32 PM

think about what you are saying logically for a moment - if you follow your logic then why wouldn't one just 'move away'? The fact is, flawwed as it is, our nation is the best overall in the world when it comes to opportunity. There are wonderful things about many other nations, but I personally wouldn't want to compromise giving up, even with all the problems, being American for the prospect of being a citizen of another country.

you sound very down and frustrated, I respect that. Just try and look past the feelings you have now and remember that we do have term limits and soon enough we'll have a new group in power to lament about.

mjshira · 07-03-2007, 04:36 PM

well said. I think what we can do, at least on this bbs, is respect the right of others to feel as they feel and post as they feel. Way too often here and in general, we are too quick to 'smash down' any tone that we don't agree with. If we all got more comfortable not agreeing, we'd probably learn a lot more about each other.

on-ramp · 07-03-2007, 04:36 PM

don't get me wrong. i'd rather live here than anywhere, given the opportunities and the "hard work pays off" principle, which I am a firm believe in.
I'm just pointing out problems that need to be addressed + fixed.. I'm sure millions of Americans agree. our Government appears to be corrupt at the moment and I'm not sure if the next election will fix it.
back to my question: do you think most Americans really know what the 4th of July symbolizes?

p911dad · p911dad's Garage

Celebrate the 4th to remember what it is supposed to represent if it is indeed no longer a reality for you personally. Perhaps the spirit will come back to you when you count your blessings as a US citizen(travel to a third world country to remind yourself just how good most of us have it) instead of bemoaning what you perceive you have lost.
Remember all those who have gone before and the personal sacrifices made to altar of freedom so we can live in freedom today.
The current administration will soon be replaced by another and maybe things will be better for you. Like they say, nothing is permanent.

mjshira · 07-03-2007, 04:42 PM

great points!

I personally think that freedom is best appreciated in a thread like this where someone can vent his views. Consider this - in China we'd all be getting the attention of gov't just for posting like this...

I think the country would be much better served if we all evidenced our views more frequently and openly. What we most often do, me included and foremost, is down play the influence we might be able to have.

HardDrive · 07-03-2007, 04:46 PM

I share your disgust with the current state of affairs on-ramp, but having just traveled in India and China, I can appreciate the huge advantages we have here in the US. Most of the world lives with FAR worse government than we will ever know.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 07-03-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by on-ramp
Does anyone really know or care what this holiday truly stands for anymore? Or is it just an excuse to get away from work for a day, sit in traffic under the blazing sun, get drunk at the beach, and set off a few firecrackers?

is that all it is to you? that's sad. After I paint my wheels tomorrow, I'll do a little research on the Revolutionary War on the web, maybe print out a few pages, go to the Boston Esplanade tomorrow afternoon, carve out my 12" square space, read a little, get a sausage, watch the rest of the day go by, listen to the Pops and contemplate our history. really think about it.

When the 3 F16s come out of nowhere in Cambridge and do a fly over the Charles and over Boston, maybe 200 feet up (what it feels like), I'll get a full body shiver and then it becomes Memorial Day for a bit. it's probably the single moment in the entire year when I am most proud to be an American. i wish that feeling would last longer, but this country is what you make of it; democracy is something you own. you can choose to whine about it or you can own it. really depends on if you are up to the challenge.

Flatbutt1 · 07-03-2007, 05:24 PM

4th of july is the best holiday ever! my hard earned freedom is spent grilling and setting off small explosives!

Thank you Veterans everywhere!

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

It is very clear that you have no clue, but that is what makes you a liberal. Go too the Scooter thread and learn something, BTW, he has nothing on the clintons, now they releasing actual criminals including one of the FBIs most wanted!!!

N11Porsche · N11Porsche's Garage

The 4th of July isn't about you and I or President Bush.

It's about this country's founding fathers, the pioneers that settled this land, the men & woman that fought the Cival War, World War 1 and World War 11 and other coflicts this country has been involved in, Martin Luther King, Astronauts that ventured to the moon, anyone who ever served in the military of this country, Betsy Ross, The Donner Party, etc.

One thing it isn't, is a day to point fingers. It's a day to celebrate our heritage & our freedom and the people that made & make it possible............

rouxroux · 07-03-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by on-ramp
don't get me wrong. i'd rather live here than anywhere, given the opportunities and the "hard work pays off" principle, which I am a firm believe in.

Sounds like the ramp is finally coming to terms with his conservative side. Yes, "hard work pays off" and you just MIGHT be getting to the point where the socialist ideal might be fragmenting for you. "Womb to the tomb"? If there was no witholding tax and we actually had to PAY quarterly, I think many more folks would start feeling like you as well.

It's, OK...we all mature. I'll even admit it, when I was young & dumb I even voted for Carter when I still "wanted to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony".

M.D. Holloway · 07-03-2007, 08:18 PM

Well, it is a day off. You get to drink beer and cook on the grill. Play with the kids and blow off some fireworks.

Its not like I sit around thinking about Christ during Christmas or the Pilgrams during Thanksgiving.

Enjoy the time off for Petes sake! Crack a chilly one and light a blackcat...

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

+1

Although there is a certain amount of irony in celebrating our forefathers' "Independence Day from tyranny" under our current government, I agree - enjoy a rare day off. If you're like me you won't get another one until September.

DavidI · 07-03-2007, 08:32 PM

The 4th of July is very important to my family and me. Men and women have spilled blood for our freedom, and we should celebrate being the free-est nation in the world. Our country has flaws and individuals are corrupt, but that is human nature.

Tomorrow, I will tip a beer to every soul who contributes to the fabric that preserves the greatest country in the world, America!

Semper Fi, David

Joeaksa · 07-03-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidI
The 4th of July is very important to my family and me. Men and women have spilled blood for our freedom, and we should celebrate being the free-est nation in the world. Our country has flaws and individuals are corrupt, but that is human nature.

Tomorrow, I will tip a beer to every soul who contributes to the fabric that preserves the greatest country in the world, America!

Semper Fi, David

Good post and many forget the above.

Off Ramp, if you do not cheer up its time to get some professional help. Walking around with an attitude like this will eventually end in deep depression. A depression that will not end in 2008...