Reclaiming the Red, White, and Blue
I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July filled with fireworks, quality time with friends/family, and most importantly, good food.
The Fourth of July isn’t just about ribs and fireworks, despite those two things consuming my holiday. The Fourth of July is about celebrating and reflecting upon this country– the good, the bad, and the ugly, and being proud of how far we have come. The thirteen little colonies that declared their independence are now a United States that span from California to Maine, Florida to Alaska, Omaha to Scottsbluff, and from sea to shining sea.
But, sometimes, it can feel weird celebrating a country that has so many problems. I mean, there are a million reasons to have gripes with this country. We charge stupid amounts for healthcare, don’t pay most folks a living wage, don’t do nearly enough to help marginalized communities, all while the rich keep getting richer.
However, I think it’s time that Democrats reclaim our patriotism and vocally take pride in this great nation. In the last 10-20 years– it feels as if “patriotism” has been hijacked as a Republican talking point. We simply cannot let the imagery of the flag be hijacked by the party that wants to disenfranchise voters, supports a wannabe dictator, and celebrates insurrectionists.
Relationship Advice
Every relationship has its flaws, including the relationship between the United States of America and its citizens.
And even though I think it’s important that we as Democrats celebrate our country and our flag, I think it is equally important that we express our criticisms and gripes that we have with the nation as well.
It’s like any other relationship. If you have a problem with your partner, the first thing that you have to do is tell them that you have a problem with what they did.
In relationships, you are supposed to have an open stream of communication. So in our relationship with our country– why would we intentionally not voice our problems and blindly praise everything that our country did. That’s not a relationship between person and country at that point– that’s blind worship, which the GOP seems to love!
The reason that we voice our complaints with a partner is because we love them, and want them to learn how to be the best version of themself. Our relationship with our country is no different– we call out injustice, we protest, and we fight for what’s right because we love our country. We want this country to be the city upon a hill that the Founding Fathers envisioned, a country that we can take pride in saying is the greatest nation in the world.
John Prine
Despite being a 22 year old kid from the suburbs of Chicago, I do know my country music, maybe it’s the Nebraskan in me.
There’s no better commentary on today’s phony patriotism than from the late, great John Prine. In one of his greatest songs, Prine sang, “Your flag decal won’t get you into Heaven anymore”. The song– which was a commentary on the Vietnam War, still holds true today.
The Republican Party thinks that if they sing the National Anthem loud enough, wear red, white and blue, and buy enough of their little flag decals, they’re somehow “patriots”.
What’s patriotic about beating a Capitol Police Officer to death with an American flagpole?
What’s patriotic about trying to forcefully overturn the very free and fair elections that this country was built upon?
There is absolutely nothing that is patriotic about the platform of the GOP– they’re trying to instill a dictator in disguise, bringing tyranny to America when it is the very thing that our Founding Fathers fled England from.
Providing liberty and justice for all, as our Pledge of Allegiance says, is patriotic. Notice the “for all”– that doesn’t exclude African Americans, women, the LGBTQ+ community, or any other group. When the Democratic party fights for these things, we should do it under the waving American flag, taking a patriotic pride in our vision for a more just America, not cowering in the shame of our nation’s tyrannical and unjust past. There is nothing more American and patriotic than fighting for those groups, standing up in the face of tyranny, and securing liberty and justice for all.
Around the Horn
It’s time to flip that Bacon! NE-02’s Tony Vargas declared his candidacy for Congress this week– looking to unseat Rep. Bacon. State Senator Vargas is one of the best candidates you could dream up, a true family man, public school teacher, and honest broker for working families. This race is a must win to get Nebraska on the national map– donate here to help kickstart the campaign!
Former President Donald J. Trump is speaking in Council Bluffs today Friday, July 7th. The 2024 candidate is doing the rounds in Iowa in preparation for the GOP primary, with Iowa being the first state. The circus of a primary also features esteemed candidates such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie for some reason, a slew of old white guys who are indistinguishable from one another, Bozo the clown, and your racist neighbor from down the street.
July 4th, 2023 was declared the “hottest day in history”– however, I know a dinosaur or two who may beg to differ. Climate change is real! And it’s resulting in me looking like I just got out of a pool anytime I step outside– so please, for the love of all that is good, be an advocate for climate policy so that I don’t sweat to death every summer for the rest of my life!
Upcoming Events– #HotDemSummer
If you are thinking about getting involved… do it! The Nebraska Democratic Party and our supporters will be walking in parades, waving rally signs, and showing support statewide.
Whether you want to voice your support, meet new Democrats in your community, or just get your steps in– we would LOVE to have you walk with us! If you’d be more inclined to support with your treasure as opposed to your time– become a donor here!
You can find the full list of events this summer here–we add new events all the time, so keep checking back and join us for a #HotDemSummer.
Thank you for reading!
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out at jack@nebraskademocrats.org.
All the best,
Jack Schiewe
