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Page added on July 4, 2018
Oh Say Can You See?
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.”
― Mark Twain
As we celebrate the nation’s Independence, a virtual pallor seems to hang over the proceedings like a shitmist. There will be parades, fireworks, cookouts and picnics, and the attendant mindlessness of a hot summer day. There will be 21-gun salutes with appropriate solemnity. But in many ways, it’s almost as if it’s “Bizarro- Fourth of July–” similar, but a bit off. As if our hearts are not fully in it. Given that hundreds of thousands attended over 800 rallies demonstrating against government-sanctioned kidnapping of children and separation of immigrant families, they may not be. Now comes proof we’re just not as patriotic as we used to be.
New Low of 52% “Extremely Proud” to Be Americans- Gallup
For the first time in 18 years, a recent Gallup poll shows that a majority of US adults are not “extremely proud” to be Americans. That’s an average across political ideologies, with the sort of steep differences on either side of the political aisle you might expect.
As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, 52% of U.S. adults say they are “extremely proud” to be Americans, a new low in Gallup’s 16-year trend. Americans’ patriotism spiked after 9/11, peaking at 70% in 2003, but has declined since, including an eight-percentage-point drop in early 2005 and a five-point drop since 2013.
From a peak of 70 percent in 2003, the proportion of those “extremely proud to be Americans” has eroded consistently, leveling during the final years of the Cheney-Bush regime and most of former Obama. A slide started in 2015 and continues.
No surprise the numbers split along age and political affiliation. Young adults today are significantly less patriotic than in 2001. Also no surprise that liberals (36%) join young adults as the least patriotic major subgroup. Independents, Democrats, non-whites and college graduates are also slow to salute. In contrast are those major subgroups most likely to wave the flag: Republicans (68%), conservatives (61%) and those 50-64 (64%).
The 23-point gap in patriotism between Rs and Ds is now roughly double what it was in January 2001.
What’s it all mean? Gallup suggests that Americans’ continued frustration with national conditions — likely tied to their concern about the economy and lack of faith in public institutions — are reasons patriotism is at an ebb. Not surprisingly, I can offer some other thoughts.
How about the erosion of the middle class? For years, we’ve read the headlines: the middle class in the United States has been in decline.
CNN May 18, 2018: “Almost half of US families can’t afford basics like rent and food”
Marketwatch June 2, 2018: “50 million American households can’t even afford basic living expenses”
Wall Street Journal February 13, 2018 : “US households shoulder record $13.15 trillion debt”
In Asia, government policies favor the emergence of a prosperous middle class. In China in 2000, according to McKinsey, just 4% of the population was middle class. By 2012, it had exploded to 68% of the population.
Meanwhile in the US, The Orange Lout has instituted tariffs against our friends, which will have the net effect of raising prices. When prices rise faster than wages, the middle class struggles. And that’s what’s been happening. The coming round of price gouges will worsen the buying power of the dollar. Powerless workers will demand wage increases, which will further erode the dollar’s worth, producing the inflation which the Fed has so dearly wanted to create. The only ones who will suffer are the wage slaves and retirees. Happy days are here again for the swells and grandees.
Housing is a powerful example. Simon Black points out:
In late 2011, the average home cost around 3.56 times the average salary in the US, according to data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. By the end of 2017, the average home cost 4.73 times the average salary, even though mortgage rates were essentially unchanged.
In other words, even when you adjust for the fact that people are earning more, housing became 33% more expensive in just six years– and that doesn’t account for increases in property taxes, home owners association dues, insurance premiums, etc.
And of course, rents follow. So even though people are technically earning more dollars, those increasingly-worthless dollars purchase less and less house. And everything else. And we haven’t even addressed the medical-industrial wealth-extraction conduit scheme. Such long term inflation and value extraction is simply theft baked in to the system.
How about security? Consider that the postwar Marshall plan to rebuild Europe and institute a consensus of mutual trade and defense endured for 70 years. We’re busily thumbing our allies in the eye over trade, and toying with the notion of leaving NATO, the better to get those Eurochiselers to pay Their Fair Share. While Trumpsuckers cheer, “America! Fuck, Yeah!” they ignore the fact that the nuclear-tipped arsenal purchases their standard of living, thus enabling them to have that chrome-plated eight burner Weber grill on the deck of their double-wide.
Reflecting on recent history, Watergate shocked the system as we were exposed to our first criminal President. Then Reagan, and Iran-Contra, and Ollie North, the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine, and then Fox News. Plus we elected two Republican Presidents that lost the popular vote, and two Democrats that governed as centrist Republicans. A useless war, a PATRIOT Act, Citizen’s United, and the theft of a SCOTUS seat all reinforced by lawmakers who gerrymandered their own voters.
Yet another President-without-a-plurality institutes policies at clear variance with our stated “values” and which flout both international law and human decency, such that hundreds of thousands are moved to take to the streets in sweltering summer heat. Little wonder the ‘proud to be a ‘Murkin'” contingent continues to shrink.
How about the fact that public sentiment and voting seems to have almost no effect on national policies? A 2015 study shows the US is a corrupt oligarchy where ordinary voters barely matter. As the authors put it,
“Economic elites and organized interest groups play a substantial part in affecting public policy, but the general public has little or no independent influence.”
Who does? Major donors and lobbyists. Your cynicism is well placed.
Never forget that Grover Norquist’s avowed goal was to shrink government to the point that he “could drown it in the bathtub.” A good way to do that is to vitiate support for government, especially among its natural constituency. As well as to demoralize the general populace, the better to depress voter turnout.
The current adminstration’s policies are designed to immiserate and outrage. Border atrocities done in our names, attacks on the rule of law, insulting democratic leaders while praising thugs, and breaking up trade agreements are all about turning American exceptionalism on its head even as our “President” brays the words. The so-called “leadership of the free world” is something we are gleefully throwing away. For what? And who benefits?
When Trump declares war on Mars, where are the young people whose patriotic ranks will swell the all-volunteer Space Force?
Surly1 is an administrator and contributing author to Doomstead Diner. He is the author of numerous rants, screeds and spittle-flecked invective here and elsewhere. He lives a quiet domestic existence in Southeastern Virginia with his wife Contrary. Descended from a long line of people to whom one could never tell anything, all opinions are his and his alone, because he paid full retail for everything he has managed to learn.
79 Comments on "Oh Say Can You See?"
Bob Jones on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 1:52 pm
Americans aren’t proud anymore because the oil bonanza is ending. (Like the Southerners just after chattel slavery ended.)
They had no problem with torture, mass murder, invasions, genocide, rape, and terror as long as their Ford F-150s were burning cheap gasoline, their bellies were filled with pizza and beer, and Desperate Housewives or football was on TV.
Americans are scum with only contempt for those not meeting the ‘Murican standard.
FREEODM AND DEMOCRACY AND HOMOSEXUALITY!
GregT on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 2:50 pm
“As we celebrate the nation’s Independence, a virtual pallor seems to hang over the proceedings like a shitmist.”
Ah yes, Independance Day. Yee Haa!
Hey, wait a minute…..does anybody remember what independence was originally gained from?
Nevermind.
Yee Haa!
Anonymouse1 on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 3:00 pm
Indeed, the amerikan elite at the time, wanted the freedom to supplant the British, free of any constraints. And one cant deny, it has worked out splendidly. Britain has been occupied by uS forces since the 1940s and the UK has pretty much surrendered its independence to the uS.
It would be an irony of history if one day Britain creates a holiday to celebrate their independence from amerikan rule.
Duncan Idaho on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 3:05 pm
I wonder if Fat Boy even remembers doing this?
China is expected to begin imposing tariffs on $34 billion of U.S. goods on Friday, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing a source close to the plan. The Trump administration’s own tariffs on up to $50 billion worth of goods from China are also due to take effect Friday, but owing to time differences, China’s tariffs would kick in 12 hours sooner. “Our measures are equal and being equal means that if the U.S. starts on July 6, we start on July 6,” the source told Reuters.
onlooker on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 3:12 pm
Independant? Hardly. The financial titans have had a grip on this country since its inception
Don’t believe me. Only white men had access to education at the beginning. The Civil War was for economic reasons not Slavery. etc etc
Happy 4th !
Boat on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 3:27 pm
When polls talk America most instinctively think policits. Our system is run by two parties so captain obvious would know a 50% approval rating is typical. Culture differences influence foreigners to bypass captain obvious thinking.
Boat on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 3:33 pm
Onlooker
Asians are today’s new immigrant. The majority of these immigrants come educated and assimilate better than Europeans and Mexicans. They like fireworks.
GregT on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 3:35 pm
Americans Rely on China for Their July 4th Celebrations
http://fortune.com/2018/07/03/america-china-fireworks/
Anonymouse1 on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 3:38 pm
Did you forget to take your Autism medicine today boatretard?
onlooker on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 4:07 pm
Well, Boat, let them ALL come of all races. On this planet,you can run but you can’t hide. The whole economic system is coming down. But worse, followed shortly by our environmental life support systems. So lets all hold hands at the end, why not?
GregT on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 4:42 pm
“They like fireworks.”
Good one Boat, a point that is not often considered when debating the pros and cons of immigration. I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but I’ve heard they also like grapefruit juice.
Anonymouse1 on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 4:54 pm
LoL
MASTERMIND on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 5:07 pm
Protester climbs Statue of Liberty, prompting evacuation of the island
https://abcnews.go.com/US/protester-climbs-statue-liberty-prompting-evacuation-island/story?id=56370410
onlooker on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 5:22 pm
“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel”
GregT on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 5:35 pm
France should request for the Statue of Liberty to be returned back, before Antifa tears it down or burns it to the ground.
MASTERMIND on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 5:49 pm
Greg
Shut up you religious lunatic..Why dont you go bow down to your dear invisible leader..You tin foil hat whack job…
onlooker on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 6:09 pm
MM, in now years on this forum,, Greg has NEVER showed religious fanaticism
Makati1 on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 6:11 pm
I was just going to say the same, Onlooker.
onlooker on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 6:17 pm
Paranoia Mak?
MASTERMIND on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 6:19 pm
Trump pressed aides on Venezuela invasion, US official says
https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-americas/trump-pressed-aides-on-venezuela-invasion-us-official-says-1.747215
MASTERMIND on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 6:23 pm
Financial catastrophe resulting from resource depletion and a debasement of value of fiat currencies. Then a 12-month window of tyranny and government lockdown on citizens, followed by a 6-month window of absolute carnage and death. Then, a period of about 6 months of slow die-off and that’s pretty much that. Oh, and starting sometime within the next 5 years or so…
https://imgur.com/a/pYxKa
https://imgur.com/a/rBtIrfg
JuanP on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 6:25 pm
MM “You tin foil hat whack job…”
I see Femtomind is projecting again!
Makati1 on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 7:20 pm
Suggested reading for the 4th:
“INDEPENDENCE, WHAT INDEPENDENCE?”
https://www.theburningplatform.com/2018/07/04/independence-what-independence/#more-179217
“The Fourth of July Is “Matrix Reinforcement Day””
https://www.globalresearch.ca/tomorrow-is-matrix-reinforcement-day/5646335
“How to Make Your LIFE a Declaration of Independence”
https://www.theorganicprepper.com/declaration-independence/
“On this 4th of July, Americans honor everything about this country that isn’t true and pretend that what is doesn’t exist. Home of the brave my ass. Land of the timid and home of the delusional…much closer to the truth. No nation in history will deserve the comeuppance that is coming when the everything bubble vanishes into the ether. I may suffer as well, but I will be at peace knowing that tyrants meet their denouement and sheep get slaughtered.”
Cloggie on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 9:32 pm
“Hey, wait a minute…..does anybody remember what independence was originally gained from?”
Wouldn’t be surprised if say 30-55% would be unable to answer that question. Besides, it is about time to renew American Independence, hint, this time not from the Britsh.
#YeahYouGeorgeS
“It would be an irony of history if one day Britain creates a holiday to celebrate their independence from amerikan rule.”
For the British it is more important to celebrate independence from the EU, they volunteered to be a member of, decades ago. For the rest, London is sitting out odd fellow Trump in the hope that soon 1945-2016 normality will return. Britain is not interested in being anything other than a meek member of the US empire.
“France should request for the Statue of Liberty to be returned back, before Antifa tears it down or burns it to the ground.”
Statue of Liberty is probably “too white” to the taste of the American Left and its kosher leaders.
Makati1 on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 11:11 pm
Not even in 10 years of walking the streets of Manila have I ever seen human waste or drug needles. None. Zero.
“20lbs Of Human Waste” – Major Medical Convention Abandons San Francisco Citing Street Safety”
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-07-04/20lbs-human-waste-major-medical-convention-abandons-san-francisco-citing-street
So much for 1st world America! Slip slidin’…
Makati1 on Wed, 4th Jul 2018 11:14 pm
BTW: Manila doesn’r even have public restrooms and you need to go into a restaurant restroom or gas station restroom to relieve yourself.
And, hypo needles can be bought cheaply in any drugstore for less than $1 each.
Sissyfuss on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 8:58 am
Update on lyrics. ” Oil say can you see.”
Cloggie on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 12:12 pm
Brexit, the fallout…
Jaguar threatens to leave the UK:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-04/jaguar-land-rover-warns-u-k-of-106-billion-bad-brexit-toll
Talks about $106B (!) damages.
JP Morgan is beginning to withdraw its first employees to plant them in Paris, Madrid, Milan.
Already in 2014, before Brexit, the British feared they could lose the #1 international airport (Heathtrow) to Amsterdam:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-2824369/Heathrow-losing-Holland.html
That is now a near certainty. In May 2018 passenger numbers were almost equal (6.4 vs 6.7 million):
https://www.upinthesky.nl/2018/06/26/schiphol-bijna-even-groot-als-heathrow-in-mei/
In terms of number of destinations, Amsterdam is 2nd largest airport in the world, after Frankfurt:
https://nos.nl/artikel/2118255-schiphol-is-tweede-luchthaven-ter-wereld.html
3/4 of British business is against Brexit.
Shortend on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 12:22 pm
Jaguar isn’t even British owned. Indian car company Tada bought it as their crown jewel and rubbed it in their Imperial ass.
Antius on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 12:38 pm
Can’t help but wonder…If the EU were such a great thing to be part of, why do its leaders insist on threatening and undermining the economy of a country that wants to leave? Isn’t that the very definition of an extortion racket?
If such threats were levied at you personally by an organisation, would you conclude that it was something you wanted to be part of, even if you knew that the threats would be backed up? Sounds a lot like some kind of gangland protection racket that threatens to break your shop’s windows or take revenge on your customers if you don’t pay them a protection fee. The EU would appear to be a lot like that.
MASTERMIND on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 1:01 pm
Clogg
Who gives a shit the global economy is history soon when the oil shortage hits..oil has peaked..its over..And sooner than later..
IEA Chief warns of world oil shortages by 2020 as discoveries fall to record lows
https://www.wsj.com/articles/iea-says-global-oil-discoveries-at-record-low-in-2016-1493244000
MASTERMIND on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 1:09 pm
The number of people proud to be an America is very skewed because ConservaSHITS are all in general 100 percent proud..They are the stupidest people on the planet earth.
We should deport all the ConservaSHITS to the middle east..Give them all guns and let them the jews and muslism all kill each other..Problem solved..
Dredd on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 1:27 pm
Everyone wants independence from something (Independence From What?).
Cloggie on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 2:05 pm
“If the EU were such a great thing to be part of, why do its leaders insist on threatening and undermining the economy of a country that wants to leave? Isn’t that the very definition of an extortion racket?”
Jaguar, JP Morgan and Schiphol/Heathrow are not under EU control. Nobody denies the UK the right for a divorce. The EU after all, is not the USSR, the UK-ally of former fame. However, divorces come with a bill… that need to de paid. After that the UK is free to team up with others, like Turkey, or Argentina, or North-Korea or even apply for membership of the Indian empire, the proud owner of Jaguar.
Cloggie on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 2:10 pm
“We should deport all the ConservaSHITS to the middle east..Give them all guns and let them the jews and muslism all kill each other..Problem solved..”
Why all this unnecessary transporation? That’s very bad for the environment. And then there is peak-oil and shit.
Besides, there are jews and muslims in North-America too.
GregT on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 2:44 pm
“The number of people proud to be an America is very skewed because ConservaSHITS are all in general 100 percent proud..They are the stupidest people on the planet earth.”
If the conservatives are 100% proud to be Americans, and you are not, then I would suggest that it is you and your ilk that should leave America ASAP.
MASTERMIND on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 3:06 pm
Greg
Eat my ass you bible thumping moron..
GregT on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 3:25 pm
I’m not the one living in a country he doesn’t like MM.
You have plenty of other countries to choose from, but no doubt, you’d be just as miserable anywhere else.
Maybe you’d be happier if you got a job? Wasting one’s life away trolling internet forums isn’t exactly good for a person’s state of mental health.
joe on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 3:38 pm
France in flames tonight.
“https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/984272/France-Police-shooting-Nantes-riot-police-molotov-cocktails?utm_source=traffic.outbrain&utm_medium=traffic.outbrain&utm_term=traffic.outbrain&utm_content=traffic.outbrain&utm_campaign=traffic.outbrain”
joe on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 3:42 pm
That protest vote against Marine Le Pen
(Macron is a Soros strawman if there ever was one) was a pretty dumb one by the French. Then again what can you expect from the cheese eating surrender monkeys. France will fall to Islam….
MASTERMIND on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 4:04 pm
The real (inflation-adjusted) wage of American men today is lower than 40 years ago. Today, median-wage earners have to work twice as many months to earn the price of a median home, compared with 30 years ago. Between 1999 and 2015, the suicide rate rose by 24 percent. Things are so bad that the life expectancy of middle-aged, white Americans is declining—a shocking statistic in a modern postindustrial country not at war.
There is an epidemic of domestic terrorism, although it is not often acknowledged as such by the media or political elites. Every year, greater numbers of Americans, armed with guns, go on shooting rampages killing strangers and passers-by. The incidence of such indiscriminate mass murder has increased twentyfold over the past 40 years.
Turchin, Peter.
Ages of Discord: A Structural-Demographic Analysis of American History
Makati1 on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 7:32 pm
“San Francisco Logs Over 16,000 Feces Complaints in One Week”
https://www.theburningplatform.com/2018/07/05/san-fran-feces/#more-179241
““Feces and urine and feminine products and all kinds of things on the ground; needles, syringes – you know they use buckets, five-gallon buckets for toilets, and it gets really disgusting,” said Steve Crouch, Director of Public Employees.”
Slip slidin’…
Makati1 on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 7:40 pm
“Police State in Slo-Mo”
“For many years, I’ve forecasted that the US will evolve into a police state; that it will begin slowly; then as more and more freedoms are removed, the creation of the police state will accelerate. We’re now seeing that acceleration, as more and more Americans are detained, questioned, and having their property confiscated than ever before.”
https://internationalman.com/articles/police-state-in-slo-mo/
“As an example, in 2016, some 20,000 travelers in and out of the US were stopped, often at random. Typically, their baggage was searched, their documents photocopied, access codes to their electronic devices demanded and their files copied. In most cases, no explanation was given, but they were advised that if the search was refused, they would be detained indefinitely.
The following year, in 2017, the numbers of people detained rose by 50%, to 30,000.
Remember, the 30,000 above were just hoping to reach their destination with no trouble from anyone. A generation ago, they never would have tolerated such a violation to their rights. But now, they submit and accept whatever they’re told to do.” The ‘frog pot’ is reaching boiling point when all freedom dies.
Slip slidin’…
MASTERMIND on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 7:50 pm
Madkat
Why do you love shoving the collapse of America in everyones’ face? You get a freaking boner thinking about other people you don’t even know suffering..You are a cruel person..
I man not know what a good person is, but I know what he is not..
MASTERMIND on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 8:01 pm
Richard Spencer learns about strong borders, barred from European travel
https://thinkprogress.org/richard-spencer-is-effectively-barred-from-europe-30b18131d272/
Too bad clogg..
Makati1 on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 8:05 pm
MM: Because the Us terrorist mafia deserves ALL of the bad press it can get, just as it deserves the terrible future it has coming. No country has deserved blow-back more than the Us and it is already in the works. The rest of the world is cheering its demise on.
Makati1 on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 8:10 pm
MM: I am not a wimp like you. I will survive the changes. You will not. You are a jellyfish wanting the world to take care of you like most Americans. That ‘care’ has been paid for by the blood of millions of 3rd world people. You just had the bad luck to be born at the end.
Well, those ‘good’ days are fast coming to an end. Nothing I can do to change that. That end is well deserved. I can just watch and prep for the end of BAU.
Boat on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 8:17 pm
Mm
Your always cheering on collaspe sometimes in disgusting terms. Peas in a pod it appears to me. A change in behavior would be welcome by both of you.
Makati1 on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 8:20 pm
Boat, I tell it like it is and likely will be. MM likes to fantasize about zombies, cannibals and rape. Typical immature mind. If you don’t like what I write, don’t read it. They all come under the Avatar: Makati1. LOL
MASTERMIND on Thu, 5th Jul 2018 8:23 pm
Madkat
You think every single person in the US deserves to suffer? WTF? People like me have no control over anything..Just like you didn’t when you lived here..Enough with the grandstanding you foolish old has been..