Found this bit of wall art and really liked it. Found it in a very unlikely place, I hasten to add. Loved it. Took it home. Snapped it. Cropped it. For me, it perfectly captures the feeling of what the 4th of July is about.
Our Democracy has aged a bit. That may be an understatement. But even after 240 years, the ideals upon which our Country was founded are very relevant. As many have pointed out, 240 is not that old in the lifespan of nations.
Even though, obviously, it was something over which I had no control, I'm grateful to have been born here. I'm glad that I'm an American. Our country is far from perfect, but I love her. Glad to have served in her Navy. I am cautiously optimistic about her future but there are many disquieting things happening right now in our corporate life.
Americans who sit in positions of leadership need to stop making it harder for some of their fellow citizens to vote. This is pernicious, it's a blight on our democracy and it needs to stop.
We need to get dark money out of politics. Corporations and PACS and throw millions--yes, millions--of dollars into campaigns with no one having the slightest idea of where the money came from. This needs to stop.
The Supreme Court erred badly in the Citizens United case. Corporations are not people. And when they were green-lighted to dump vast amounts of money into political campaigns, it was nothing less than a kick in the gut to Lady Liberty. If that decision stands, The United States will never again live up to the lofty ideal we hear whenever The Pledge of Allegiance is recited: "One Nation, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All!"
This great but troubled country we love can live up to its lofty ideals. But it will take strong, deliberate action by ordinary citizens to right the ship of democracy. When the mechanics of government favor the rich and powerful and avaricious, ever self-serving corporations while ignoring the rest of us, democracy begins to die.
As we commemorate our nation's 240th birthday, I'm recommitting myself to doing my part to get us off the road to oligarchy and back on democracy's path. It will take good leadership from our elected officials and a willingness to speak the truth. In the words of Bob Dylan, "Let us stop talking falsely now, the hour's getting late."
"Bulldog Ben" Basile on the 4th of July
Note: Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is one non-profit org working mightily to get the dark money and unlimited corporate contributions out of our elections. Their good work has been very effective and holding our elected officials accountable and shining a light on their misdeeds when they betray the ideals upon which our Nation was founded. To learn more about the work of C.R.E.W. follow this link.
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