07/03/2026
I am not sure how this post will go, so be prepared for some crassness and foul language. Tomorrow is the United States's 250th anniversary and I am trapped between two very competing feelings-pride in my fellow Americans who have inspired our guests from around the world with its hospitality, generosity and diversity and who have taken it upon themselves to help our unhoused neighbors during this cruel heat. On the other I am utterly disappointed in the lack of leadership among Democrats and Republicans in protecting our institutions and our most vulnerable. When I scan the state of the U.S. I see an absolute failure of leadership that is totally uninspiring, our leaders confuse price with value and refuse to do the work that doesn't have a price, but create significant value to our communities. In Harrisburg, we see electeds complain year after year about developers that don't create affordable housing, yet refuse to make developers create affordable housing (which is completely in their power to do), at the County, we see our commissioners just bend over to the whims of ICE because they think that ICE will not make them bend over if they bend over for them voluntarily-it is a weak and cowardly stance and one that leads to being bent over, over and over. At the state level we see silence, we make fun of Republicans for going on vacation, but we have no shame in bending over for Data Centers, show absolute silence at the inspection of female athletes private parts because of some global fear of the trans community, which in my lifetime has only hurt me by feeding me fattening food or pointing out that my outfits aren't stylish enough, or support those same Republicans during elections over their Democratic challengers. Nationally, we have a sh*t-show that is globally embarrassing, not just because of how other countries perceive us, but by how pridefully we have betrayed all of our American values. So as you go out to celebrate tomorrow, take some time to really have pride and take ownership of our American values, commit to not waiting until the erosion of those values starts to affect you, in order to protect and elevate them. Commit to electing leaders who are committed to their values or at least have them; I have come to learn voters will choose someone they disagree, but believe over someone they can't really read...and most importantly be joyful and prideful in our values. Cheer them on unapologetically, remember that at a time where U.S. leadership is failing its people, those same people are reminding the world that our values are aspirational and inspirational. Go out, have fun, stay safe, and love your country...in deed.
