TOTM July 2019 - What Does the 4th of July Mean to you

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government..." -The Declaration of Independence

As long as it's recognized that most attempts to alter or abolish will be met with the utmost resistance by the existing Form of Government. In 1776, we had the face of a king to lay complaint upon. Today, our govt consists of a few political faces for a public 'dog & pony' show, but many more nameless, faceless bureaucrats that labor for an insidious group of corporations/rich individuals that have taken representation from the people and transferred slowly, quietly, behind the curtain, to their own interests.

How we regain our independence from them is beyond me. The attempt in 1861, when those interests were far less powerful and interwoven, was met with overwhelming, crushing, armed resistance and the reminder to this day, routinely routed by school children in the form of a 'pledge', that we are "ONE nation....INDIVISIBLE (as in I pledge not to ever try that 1776 thing again)....with liberty and justice for all"(to the extent allowed)........

Sorry...I get a little sad on the 4th for the lost ideals and sacrifices of our ancestors that we have allowed to be taken from us.

 

I listen to this ever day this is what it means to me.

 

Well done Bishop. Everyone in this country should be required to watch this. Especially the politicians.

 

This one is a two parter for me.
1. It's the day we lost the war.
2. It's the start of the US saying we are not going to be told how to live, and an sobering reminder of the cost of liberty.

 

Therein lays the problem I have trying to answer the question as to what the Fourth means to me. In wayback times, the day was for remembrance, patriotism and meaningful flag waving as well as celebratory parades with meaningful participation, food and fellowship. Now, seems to be food and arguments. Where's the meanings in that other than leading to fat shaming?

 

A reminder of how far down the toilet America has gone. NIKE it seems recently pulled these shoes because they are controversial and have racist symbolism adorning them. They feared the trainers would damage the brand with its 18-34 year old customers. Yep way down that toilet.

 

How's that double gas tax workin' out for ya, T5R?
Packing up yet ?

 

The 4th has always been my favorite holiday. It is truly there only holiday that I actually celebrate. No presents to purchase for ingrates, no family coming from all over and over-staying their welcome, no religious crap to get everyone all stirred up, no Halmark commercials. On the other hand, you have BBQ, watermelon, beer, good friends, fireworks, and you are celebrating Independence. What more could you ask of a holiday? My first wife and I were married on the 4th of July and even that foul taste in my memory has never dampened my enthusiasm for my favorite holiday. Last year, my daughter, the only good product of that marriage, died of a heroin over-dose. I have not had a good week, having had to put my beloved puppy, Maggie, down due to cancer. I have contempt for anyone that mourns just because of a calendar date and thought it beneath me but I just can't seem to find anything about today that I want to participate in. I have the thought in the back of my mind that her dying while in a rehab program and staying clean for the past two years, the 4th was a message to me and I no longer have a favorite holiday. My flag now flies at half-mast, Liberty is a bad joke, and even the watermelons are mealy.

 

The double gas tax is painful already. the stupid ass bag tax is annoying and I refuse to collect it or pay it. Smoke tax went up $1 per pack. Most business Fees are doubling, license plates going way up, drivers licenses going way up, corporate fees to the sec of state going way up, property taxes going way up, sales taxes across the board going up, Prickster still wants a per mile driven tax on top of the fuel taxes. Common terms heard in IL "Its a TAX MASSACRE" and " TAXED TO THE MAX" Oh and the $15 minimum wage is just wonderful. Saw last night that IL in the first 6 months of 2019 had a net loss of 45,000 residents. That was before all of the new and increased taxes and fees. I am betting we lose 120,000+ by the end of the year. We are without question losing one congressional district and most likely 2........... that is a good thing though as it takes a couple leftist out of Washington.

Still have to wait another 6-8 Months before we can move. I am torn though, I love my land, my farm, 21 years of building a successful business and developing a large and loyal customer base. Moving ain't just packing up and leaving for greener pastures for me That being said many of my customers have moved and many more are planning on moving over the next year. And to be honest I have no interest in serving the leftist stool samples that are replacing the customers that have already fled the state. It is almost like there is a planned demographic change where Chicago stains are relocating to SI and replacing the native population. Seems like every 3rd person you talk to now days "Recently Moved Here From Chicago" and of course they are either trust fund babies or welfare recipients. So yeah despite everything I am most likely going to move to the new place, bought it about a year ago 180 acres bordered on 3 sides by National forest and the front at the dead end of a county road. Closest neighbor is 9 miles away, closest town over 5000 people is 50 miles away. Not perfect but I can make it work OH and a tax burden that is about 65% less than IL.

 

I'm honored to be a citizen of the United States of America.

I celebrate Independence Day every day, and on the Fourth of July everybody joins me, and we don't have to call the gas company before we light a fuse.

 

This year the fourth is the Day After a vet came home to die from complication of the Vietnam War.
He came in contact with agent orange in 1970.
Thirity three years later he had major surgery.
Now his time is about up due to rejection to the organs transplanted before.
On the 3rd he received a great BBQ Dinner as a Token of our appreciation for his service.
We will see him again and make sure his family is taken care of.
It was a great 4th all around, let no man be left behind.

 

There are 34 framed photos on our dining room wall, photos of brave young immigrant men in the uniforms of this nation who have served, bled and died for this great country! The 4th is our day to celebrate we who served and guaranteed freedom would endure no matter the cost, a freedom my family has paid for in blood! No one can ever take that from us, that is guaranteed!
Memorial day is the day we remember, the 4th is the day we celebrate!

 

Mike Rowe said it well also .
Have a safe 4,5,6&7 Weekend folks
Sloth

 

What does the 4th of July mean to me?

I refuse to answer this on the grounds it may incriminate me... Happy 4th to all!