Politics is the profession of hypocrisy – and it was on full display during this year’s Independence Day celebration.
As is the case every Fourth of July, most Americans took off from work to join their families, friends, and neighbors in millions of mini celebrations across the nation – from grand picnics to simple backyard barbecues. Parades moved down Main Street in virtually every community in America – with streets lined by a very diverse group of local citizens. They watch the high school band go by – also the local Miss Something or other, the Chamber of Commerce, the veterans, firetrucks, police cars and … yes … military vehicles.
Then in the evening, millions of us gathered in public places – or in front of the television – to listen to concerts with well-known patriotic songs. Millions sang along to “God Bless America,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “This land is my land.”
As darkness fell, we heard the first chords of the “1812 Overture” – the lead-in to the much-anticipated fireworks display. Some of us may have wondered why that particular musical work has become so much part of our Independence Day celebration. It was written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as a musical tribute to Russia’s defeat of Napoleon’s invading Grande Armée in 1812 – about the same time America was again engaged in another war with England. I think it must have to do with that powerful cannonade conclusion.
So, what does all this reminiscence and history have to do with the headline subject – the Democrats? Just setting the stage.
Democrats and their media allies have been speaking out against politicizing the Independence Day celebrations – claiming that is what Trump was planning to do. After all, Independence Day is like all holidays in which we set aside our differences and focus on the things we have in common. In the case of Independence Day, it is the time to focus on our civic history and our unifying culture – the things that make us all Americans, whether our lineage goes back to the colonists or we have just pledged our allegiance recently.
In the spirit of the holiday, one might expect even our politicians – especially those seeking the highest office in the land – to take a break from politics. We should find them in their hometowns celebrating alongside their friends and neighbors. They could be giving non-political patriotic speeches to remind we the people of our heritage and common bonds.
So, where DO we find our politicians running for President? Are they in their hometowns celebrating alongside their constituents? Are they giving those non-political patriotic speeches?
Nope! We find a gaggle of presidential wannabes in Iowa giving a political speech and political interviews as fast as they can arrange them. They are drawing polite distinctions between themselves and their Democratic contenders – and heaping President Trump, who is presiding over a non-political celebration in Washington, unrelenting harsh criticism.
Even the guy who likes to be known as “Mayor Pete” Buttigieg has abandoned his own South Bend, Indiana celebration for politicking in Iowa.
Okay, so they do not want to take a day off from the campaign trail to celebrate Independence Day among family, friends, and neighbors as part of … you know … e pluribus unum. But why do they have to be so damn hypocritical about it.
So, there ‘tis.
