A few 250th birthday thoughts

What are we celebrating today? It's the release of these words, and the Declaration that we were going to break away from the crazy overlord of our land.

From UW-Madison Political Science professor Barry Burden.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

— Barry Burden (@bcburden.bsky.social) July 4, 2026 at 8:32 AM

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

— Barry Burden (@bcburden.bsky.social) July 4, 2026 at 8:32 AM

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

— Barry Burden (@bcburden.bsky.social) July 4, 2026 at 8:32 AM

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

— Barry Burden (@bcburden.bsky.social) July 4, 2026 at 8:32 AM

A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

— Barry Burden (@bcburden.bsky.social) July 4, 2026 at 8:32 AM

And yet we have to take it in 2026, more than 1776, because the people who are imposing these bad things aren't mostly from thousands of miles away, but instead live inside our state and country borders (if not our communities) and inside the corporate board rooms that control much of the "information" that people consume.

We can do a lot better than this, and we are the majority that know we deserve much more than what we've had to accept for the last decade-plus. It's telling to me that local community celebrations in Summer 2026 are much better attended and come with a better vibe than the emotionallly stunted, pathetic stuff we are seeing in DC.

It's true, Axios. The biggest issue facing us is that Donald Trump is currently president and it's making everyone miserable

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— Subscribe to Radio Free America (link in bio) (@kleinman.bsky.social) July 4, 2026 at 9:47 AM

We need to clear the clouds that are hanging over this country. And sure, midterms 2026 are a big part of it to show the reversal in direction. But the screw-ups of the last decade are going to need a lot of time and work to clean up from. But it's gotta start from some point, and because of the money power on the other side, you gotta have to work harder than we should just to get it back to even.

But have fun in the middle of all this work, because the MAGAts also want us to be as miserable as they are. When we aren't fearful and aren't distracted by their small-ball idiocy, that means we're living better than them, no matter what their alleged status says.

As sad and scary as it is to see a terror organization march in the open, it’s also a parade of men who are doing this today instead of enjoying a hot dog and a cold beer with loved ones because they’re weird angry losers.

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— Amos Posner (@amosposner.bsky.social) July 4, 2026 at 11:39 AM

good morning, it is the fourth of july and the worst people alive are currently running the country fuck them, we're going to win because this place can and will be better than they are

— Micah (@rincewind.run) July 4, 2026 at 11:05 AM

We ARE better than them, and we ARE the Real America. I can't stand it that my country and my state to be run by a bunch of failsons, big fish in small ponds, basement-dwelling dweebs, and people who peaked in high school and never evolved. That's not the America I want, and it's not one that is interesting or moving ahead.

And being in an interesting, more joyful, multi-cultural country with actual chances of getting ahead and adjusting to reality instead of being stuck in old traditions and tactics that haven't gotten the job done? That's my More Perfect Union.