I’m not celebrating the 4th of July. Not because I “hate America” or even dislike it, necessarily. I’m not celebrating because the true purpose for celebrating is now dead.

Gaining independence from the British through act of rebellion and revolution was necessary at the time, because of what was viewed as tyranny. But now I’m America, our government has become the embodiment of tyranny itself. Spying on its citizens, presidential candidates which are bought and paid for by major corporations, endless wars, and the complete disregard for its poorer citizens, just to name a few.

Yes, revolution was necessary then, and a sort of intellectual revolution needs to happen again. And until that time, fireworks just seem like a colorful distraction to remind us that… well, we like to blow shit up and waste money.