These are dark days. And I think there are more to come. The founders of our country had the radical idea that “all men are created equal” and that we had the right to pursue happiness. We had to fight to expand the “all men” to “all people of all genders, colors, and orientations” and (at least, in theory,) we did. But that - thanks to the right-wing, white suprematist Republicans - is rapidly eroding. I am reminded of Abigail Adams admonition to her husband John:
“I long to hear that you have declared an independancy—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.” (March 31, 1776)
Yup. Abigail was onto something: “we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.”
So. I think I’ll skip this year’s “happy” 4th.