by Jim Swanson
exclusive to Blue Herald

This Independence Day is going to affect me more than any other since I’ve been born (1953). The reason? I fear we’re dangerously close to losing our democracy due to the mishandling of information and the “Nixonian” secrecy of the current administration.

President Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and many others have proven that they have no concern or pride in this nation’s history, democracy or transparency.

The Presindent stumbles along through his second term like a drunk sailor on shore leave. Only
this President has the capacity to cause much more danger than a sailor wobbling through the
streets after midnight in a drunken stupor.

Our trade deficit is deplorable. The Country’s spending with the Iraq War and subsequent war
profiteering from Corporate blood letters has apparently NOT shocked enough of this Country’s citizenry for massive public outcry.

Yes, people are busy living their lives, caring for children, shopping for groceries, some working
two jobs to make ends meet, as President Bush and his cronies, along with those of Cheney, sit
back in their overstuffed leather office furniture, while a homeless man or woman scrounges
through dumpsters looking for pieces of cardboard to sheild themselves for a night’s restless
sleep on an empty stomach in some back alley.

Our brave men and women overseas, fighting for what THEY believe to be a war for American
Freedom, shed their blood for corporations whose only concern is getting an oil deal signed
with an Iraqi government just as corrupt as the one that sits at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Bush cavorts with “Daddy” and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the family’s Maine resort home,
fishing and being jovial while an American soldier deals with the 120 degree desert heat,
carrying forty to sixty pounds of body armor on his or her back. In some cases, that back is about to break from injuries suffered in their first, second or third deployment.

On this 4th of July, PLEASE take some time away from your hot dogs and hamburgers grilling on the barbecue, step away from the television baseball game, put down the softball glove, horseshoes or whatever activity that’s causing laughter in your back yard and think hard about the men and women who are overseas. Say a small prayer or send some positive energy their way.

Then, as soon as possible, call your Congressman or Congresswoman, send emails, write letters,
make phone calls, recruit friends to do the same and help take America back.

Let’s show the Bush administration what Independence REALLY means.