America still the land of the free?

Weatherwise, the Fourth of July is a rainout here as it almost always is - but because of the holiday, we're in a patriotic mood!

The U.S. and A. is a truly unique land with an attractive frontier spirit. But almost every year, I find myself shaking my head more and more at the country's direction. During the right-wing weirdo wave of the mid-'90s, I realized I was living in an America I didn't recognize, and just in the past few days I've noticed the situation is probably worse now that it's ever been in the modern era.

I'm a progressive populist, if you will, and I raucously meld small-l libertarianism with small-r republican socialism. And it's amazing these days how far some will go to deny us freedom.

As a hard-working guy, I dig down-home working-class populist celebrations full of hilarious bonfires, good eatin', and blowin' up soda cans with firecrackers. (Who can forget my uproarious campfires of the '90s in which I burned spoiled food, an old TV set, bubble gum, and a kitchen table?) But there's a right-wing War on Fourth of July out there, led by those who oppose fun and teem animosity against us working-class folks.

Yesterday, I told you about GOP efforts in Yonkers, New York, to jail and seize cars of anyone caught with fireworks. In most of New York state, possessing fireworks is only ticketable. But did you know that Ohio's tyranny puts most of New York to shame? According to a police official in southwestern Ohio, state law can bring up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine for mere possession of fireworks.

I knew that about Ohio, because the threat of zealous enforcement has spoiled my plans before. Ruined 'em all up, it did!

New Jersey has become another neurotic outpost of fireworks suppression. Lately, the Garden State has been sending agents to fireworks shops in Pennsylvania to watch for cars with Jersey plates pulling out of the parking lot. Then they call New Jersey authorities to stop the motorists when they enter the state. Their cars are then confiscated.

Unconstitutionally, I might add. Which I'm sure you knew.

If you live in New Jersey, keep this story on your mind now and in future years - so you can find a detour when you're returning home from buying fireworks in Pennsylvania.

BushAmerica is almost at the point where no fun or thinking of any description is allowed. (Ooh, an Allowed Cloud!) Everything these days is illegal or mandatory - unless of course you're a corporation, in which case there's almost no regulation to speak of. BushAmerica is shorthand for "regulation for thee, not for me."

Fireworks are visual, aural, and performance art all rolled into one! And they're educational. You can learn a lot about science and civics at an amateur fireworks gathering.

If you do go to an event this weekend, remember that it's your country too. Don't let Bush's Movementarians take America away from you. Learn a lesson from my experiences. Enjoy and respect life's finer things.