It is 10:20p.m. on November 5, 2024. Donald J. Trump, President Donald J. Trump, just won the great state of Pennsylvania. His electoral vote count is at 267. He only needs 3 more to win. It seems inevitable. Yes, I am a Trump supporter. I have not flourished in my business under President Joe Biden, and I am not afraid to say it. I don't believe Trump is a perfect man, but his business prowess and leadership skills were always evident, even in the 80s when I thought he could someday be president. I like the way he handles foreign policy. I love that he does not start wars. I believe he wants the best for America. Our economy needs a boost. I need President Trump to help Make Patriotism Normal Again.
I remember how it was back in 1976. The patriotism was much greater. I was only 7 years old. I remember that centennial year celebrating the 4th of July at Burgess Park in Menlo Park, California.
Our country was 200 years old that day. There was a large crowd picnicking in the park and celebrating together. People wore red, white, and blue hats and played catch or frisbee. The Lions Club had a busy public booth selling Coors beer. My dad had a shift helping them sell it in his button-down yellow shirt and Bermuda shorts. Nearby, there was a large tree, Oak, I think, and next to that was a ladder lying down on its side. Some older preteen kids had a cone firework that they shoved onto the ladder leg with the tip of the cone at a 45-degree angle. They lit it, and sparks flew for several minutes. It was only about noon, but I thought that was so cool. Of course, my mother grabbed me and pulled me back as I stood there in awe of the sparkly shower. The old fireworks were so much better than modern fireworks.
***BREAKING NEWS*** Fox News just called the election for Donald J. Trump. They are saying he is now the 47th president of the United States of America! Now, back to my discussion of my early patriotic days. ***BREAKING NEWS***
At the park, the buzz in the air was that everyone, and I mean everyone, was proud to be an American. Patriotic marching band music by John Philip Sousa was being pumped into the air. The hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato salad we ate at that celebration were
so good! Oh my, I'm making myself hungry thinking about it. Later in the day, we went home. My brother and I opened the package of fireworks that Dad had bought earlier in the week. I fondly remember my older, nine-year-old brother at the dining room table with a pencil and paper, making a list of each ground flower, Cone, Roman Candle, Piccolo Pete, and ground snake, and a plan of order for shooting them off. I mostly bugged him as he did this.
In front of our house that night, we gathered in folding chairs in the cul-de-sac. Friends and neighbors showed up. After BBQ chicken and more potato salad, my father, a huge military
supporter, made us listen to him read the Declaration of Independence. At the time, I was too young to appreciate it and was certainly excited to get to the "playing with fire" part of the evening. Finally, at dusk, we kids, with our friends from the neighborhood, lit our "Sparklers"
and danced around with delight, trying to write our names in the sky. Then, we lit the "punks" to light the fuses of each celebratory firework. We all argued to be the next to light the fuses. I remember we had one neighbor who was a really nice old man. He didn't join us, but halfway through our fireworks show, he walked over, lit a red road flare, and then walked back into his house. I guess it was his way of joining the fun. It was slightly bizarre but much appreciated.
America was different back then. Yes, the 70s had problems. The Vietnam War was fresh on everyone's minds (not necessarily my mind, as I was only 7). Inflation was insane. There was a gasoline crisis with long lines at the gas pumps. Gerald Ford, who replaced President Nixon after "Watergate," was replaced by President Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer
from Georgia. My Dad bought an AMC Pacer to "do his part" in combating the gas crisis and fuel price, much to his chagrin. Despite the issues of the day, we all still lived and believed that America was the greatest nation on earth and we never gave it a second thought. Today, we have so much more information because of all the television stations, news networks, and the internet.
So many people are willing to criticize our nation to make a buck. I believe in telling the truth, don't get me wrong, but a lot has to do with how you say it. The truth should be told in love, and if you're going to tell the harsh truths about the flaws of the U.S.A., those harsh truths should certainly be surrounded by ten times more positive truths about the U.S.A. 's greatness and good we do in the world. No other nation is like us. Do NOT forget the fact that many people died for you to enjoy your freedoms, including freedom of speech.
That is my blog post opinion at this time. That is all for now.
God bless you, and God bless America!
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