My Thoughts on America at 250

 

Today, of course, marks the 250th anniversary of American independence from the British crown. 

I have called the United States home for over 26 years now. Barring any unforeseen events, by October 2027, I will have resided in the U.S. longer than in Canada.

Most of my time in this country has been spent in Boston and Cambridge. As to my day-to-day life, I am satisfied. I consider this country to be my home for better or for worse.

Unfortunately, when it comes to my country things are worse - at least where it concerns things over which I have little or no control.

I distrust both the Trump Administration and its opposition in equal measure. I believe both intend harm upon people or at least certain segments of the populace.

A fundamental part of the American experience has been people from other lands coming here to make a better life for themselves and their families. Consider the lyrics from Neil Diamond's "America":

Home, to a new and a shiny place

Make our bed, and we'll say our grace

Freedom's light burning warm

Freedom's light burning warm

Everywhere around the world

They're coming to America

Every time that flag's unfurled

They're coming to America

Got a dream to take them there

They're coming to America

Got a dream they've come to share

They're coming to America

They're coming to America

They're coming to America

They're coming to America

They're coming to America

Today, today, today, today, today

The Trump Administration, however, has made it loud and clear that most are not welcome here unless you a white South African. That the Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship as constitutional means precious little. It certainly means little to those who lost their Temporary Protected Status by the same Supreme Court. 

Look for the Trump Administration to begin aggressively expelling Haitians from Ohio which might make the unrest in Minneapolis look like a Sunday school picnic. That Haitians have started businesses and contributed to our civic life mean nothing to Trump and his apologists who judge people by the color of their skin instead of the content of their character.

Under those circumstances, backing the Democratic Party might be a no-brainer. However, Democrats are more concerned with Gaza than good governance and are falling over themselves over who can accuse Israel of committing genocide the loudest or claim they won't take money from AIPAC. 

The result is the city with the second largest Jewish population in the world electing an anti-Semitic Mayor with Democratic primary voters enthusiastically nominating Senate and congressional candidates who openly support Hamas while being unable to condemn violence against Jews. I truly believe this will lead to October 7th style attacks against Jews in New York and elsewhere in the country.

This does not bode well for this country's future. Worse still, this is what we have chosen for ourselves. Needless to say, I cannot trust this country's welfare and well-being with anyone. Not our elected officials and not the people who put them there. Of course, I am all but powerless to prevent the horror which has already transpired and the horror which is to come. The best that I can do is to trust my own counsel to ensure none of this horror befalls me. But even I could not escape jury duty. Yet another constitutionally enshrined institution in which I have little faith.

One way to do so is to do my best to find the joys in life wherever I can find them. As for today, I had planned to go the Brattle Theatre to see their annual screening of Jaws, a movie I had managed to never see until three years ago. 

Unfortunately, I was notified this morning by email that the movie will not be shown due to air conditioning troubles in the theatre. I should mention that we are in the midst of a four-day heatwave including back-to-back 100 degree plus days marking the first time Boston has seen consecutive days of 100 degrees since 1944. 

Had I gone to the movie, I would have then proceeded along Mass Ave from Harvard Square to the Harvard Bridge to watch the fireworks. At this point, I am playing things by ear. Temperatures should start to cool after 8 p.m., but there is a possibility of thunderstorms. We shall see.

There are worst risks than rain. After all, when it comes to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness there is always an element of risk. The act of writing the Declaration of Independence was a risk. Many who did would lose everything for which they had worked. 

They may not have benefitted from their risks but millions upon millions of others most certainly have. The question remains for how much longer we will see the benefits of their risk much less be prepared to recognize them for it.

Will it be another 100 years? 50 years? 5 years? Or less than that? 

Only time and how we use that time will tell.