Independence Day

July 4th 1997, the United States celebrates the anniversary of the beginning of a war with artificial munitions, alcohol and flag waving. Independence Day... independent from what? From who? Independent from the corporations that work us to death in the name of the mighty profit margin? They started the whole thing over paying too much taxes in the first place. Taxation without representation in a country where only the landholders had the right to vote? It's too obvious to mention that no peasants signed the Declaration Of Independence, yet most of the casualties of the war were not landholding aristocrats.
One bunch of rich British aristocrats hires peasants to fight another bunch British aristocrats for the right to exploit Indians, Blacks, Women, Scots, Irish and anyone else poor enough to be exploited. Fireworks. Peasants shoot at mercenaries and other peasants for the increased profit of the rich who stay at home. Sounds damn familiar. And today people of every race and gender and economic status will celebrate by getting drunk waving flags and blowing things to pieces. I think I'll stay home and sober, and reflect on the birthing pains of our nation and meditate on the possibility of true independence in this the land of the home of the brave to be free.

©Gregory Lee Jones jul97