[jbrovont]

I didn't realize so many people felt like this until I went to the fireworks display in my town. A few thousand people had gathered for the celebration, but it just seemed... I don't know - subdued somehow. There were some "oohs! and ahhs!" at the fireworks, but not the usualy "party" atmosphere. I'm not sure how to describe it. People seemed like they knew they should be there, but for a crowd that large it was eeriely quiet. Not like years before.

At one point, a couple guy were looking for their friend who had an arab name and they called it out very loudly. For about 4-5 seconds afterwords there was complete silence. It was shameful.

There weren't nearly as many fireworks as last year - there seemed to be a lot more police and emergency vehicles everywhere though. After the display, someone tried to start a chant of "USA" and no one picked it up. After a few awkward tries they gave up.

I heard a little kid ask their mom what the 4th of July was. She said "It's just a holiday."

.

[Kingcoal]

These days remind me of the Carter days in the late '70's. People feel as though there is no leadership in government. In fact, people feel as if the government doesn't represent them, just the oil companies. They blame the oil companies for high gas prices just like they did back then. People are afraid for the future right now. They ain't seen nothing yet. In a couple of years, people will reminisce about these "good old days."

It's funny when you talk to the guys about what's wrong. Everyone has a weird conspiracy theory. You hear things like "you know when it went wrong? It was when -" this or that happened. The problem is that what people think of as "normal," is going to change - BIG TIME!

People are searching for that elusive "return to normal." It ain't gonna happen and those that realize that and adjust their life accordingly will do OK - at least compared to everyone else.

[heroineworshipper]

Funny how AP puts everything in terms of lack of entitlements & lack of leadership. Not enough mortgage entitlements. Not enough unemployment entitlements. Leaders don't have enough power. The lack of power for US politicians has definitely become a thorny issue.

Compared to every other country, US politicians R like slaves, forever deferring their own visions for the whims of the check & balance, filter of consent, & the misguided voter. Time to put 18th century fools in the closet & give politicians the power they need to reallocate the wealth for the common good.

[Cog]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('heroineworshipper', ' ')Time to put 18th century fools in the closet & give politicians the power they need to reallocate the wealth for the common good.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('heroineworshipper', 'T')ime to put 18th century fools in the closet & give politicians the power they need to reallocate the wealth for [s]the common good[/s] themselves.

[mattduke]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('heroineworshipper', 'F')unny how AP puts everything in terms of lack of entitlements & lack of leadership. Not enough mortgage entitlements. Not enough unemployment entitlements. Leaders don't have enough power. The lack of power for US politicians has definitely become a thorny issue.

Compared to every other country, US politicians R like slaves, forever deferring their own visions for the whims of the check & balance, filter of consent, & the misguided voter. Time to put 18th century fools in the closet & give politicians the power they need to reallocate the wealth for the common good.

[socrates1fan]

I never celebrated independance day as a day to celebrate a poor government.
I celebrated the day in which America declared independance from England(though it was actually a few days after/before) and I am still in love with the nation, its people, its culture, and its history, but not its government.
Sadly I could tell people werent as hyped. The economy in this town has fallen horribly becuase many jobs were shipped to China and India leaving people here without jobs. Many people here don't even have faith in local government.
Celebrating independance day in my opinion has gone from celebrating the super power of the world, the greatness of organized government to celebrating the American hope, pretty much all we have right now.

[golem]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('socrates1fan', ' ')
Celebrating independance day in my opinion has gone from...

[Marie]

One thing that's not mentioned in the article is the steady erosion of our civil liberties. Maybe it's not the first thing to come to mind to the average person struggling to fill the tank and also pay the mortgage, but it's one of the glaring examples of how our country is headed in the wrong direction. This, combined with the economic downturn, is sinister. It's sickening how both parties are colluding to pass the telecom immunity bill.

[golem]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Marie', 'O')ne thing that's not mentioned in the article is the steady erosion of our civil liberties. Maybe it's not the first thing to come to mind to the average person struggling to fill the tank and also pay the mortgage, but it's one of the glaring examples of how our country is headed in the wrong direction. This, combined with the economic downturn, is sinister. It's sickening how both parties are colluding to pass the telecom immunity bill.

[Stratous]

The Gonvernment doesnt represent the people because the people dont speak up any longer. Recently in Louisiana, the people shouted out a resounding "NO" to Govenor Jindal about a proposed pay raise that the Senate and House decided that they wanted for themselves. Initially the Gov. said he wouldnt Veto the bill, but after thousands of people stood up and shouted their anger. The Gov did veto the bill. The morale of this story is: People need to speak up, email your representatives. Write letters. Educate yourselves on the politics of the time by pulling away from the tv and actually watch or read or listen to alternative news sources. Stop complaining and do something. People need to vote, perhaps if more people voted we wouldnt have to the two lousy candidates that we have now to choose from. On a side note, if anyone is intrested in possibly saving some money at the fuel pumps, then perhaps you should visit this forum. It has alot of information that could help you. Its all free info and believe me, its alot. Believe or not, the choice is yours, but you cant make an educated decision if you dont educate yourself.
http://www.hhoforums.com/index.php?referrerid=49