This July 4th I Feel Like Protesting

In the past, the 4th of July (Independence Day) was one of my favorite holidays. But this year, I am fed up. The Amnesty Bill that the Senate and the President tried to ram through pushed me over the edge. Our country is in a state of war and the government either can’t or won’t protect our sovereignty as a nation by guarding our borders.

So hundreds of thousands (maybe even millions) rose up and challenged the Senate and the President on the Amnesty Bill – and WON! But you know what is so amazing?

• Congress didn’t get it (and still doesn’t)
• The President didn’t get it (and still doesn’t)
• The mainstream media didn’t get it (and still doesn’t)
• Even the talk shows and blogs that led the fight didn’t get it (and still don’t)

Illegal immigration/border security was the straw that broke the camel’s back. But like many Americans , I am pissed off at just about everything the government does – or fails to do.

So we had our Howard Beale moment (Howard Beale’s famous on-the-air ranting from the movie Network).

… All I know is that first you’ve got to get mad. (shouting) You’ve got to say, ‘I’m a human being, god-dammit! My life has value!’ So I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell, ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell – ‘I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Things have got to change. But first, you’ve gotta get mad!…You’ve got to say, ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Then we’ll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!’

So we told the Senate and the President “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore”.

• We’re tired of the excessive spending!
• We’re tired of the borders not being protected!
• We’re tired of being overtaxed!
• We’re tired of an incoherent energy policy!
• We’re tired of terrible roads and congestion!
• We’re tired of playing footsies with China and allowing defective food and products into the country!
• We’re tired of failed schools!
• We’re tired of political correctness that gets Americans killed!
• We’re tired of …

So this year, I am celebrating with protest songs. I love my freedom in this great country – but worry that my freedom’s are slowly but surely being stolen by the government. What a great Independence Day present it would be to America if our Congress said that as of July 4th, 2007, they will not exercise any powers not specifically designated to them in the Constitution. So Congress and President Bush, listen up – “The Times They Are a Changin’.”

From the Beatles – Taxman (partial lyrics)

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet

The Who – Won’t get Fooled Again (partial lyrics)

I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again

The Beatles – Revolution (partial lyrics)

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We’re doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right
all right, all right
Ah

Bob Marley – Get Up, Stand Up (partial lyrics)

Get up, stand up! (jah, jah!)
Stand up for your rights! (oh-hoo!)
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up!)
Dont give up the fight! (life is your right!)
Get up, stand up! (so we cant give up the fight!)
Stand up for your rights! (lord, lord!)
Get up, stand up! (keep on struggling on!)
Don’t give up the fight! (yeah!)

Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’ (partial lyrics)

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside
And it is ragin’.
It’ll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’