Does anybody care about America 250 ? 🇺🇸

The semiquincentennial of the United States, is one of those words that is hard to pronounce, and it required me to Google it to spell it. But it means it’s 250 years since America declared Independence from Great Britain, a quarter millennium of ups and downs, the longest lasting democracy in one form or another in the world’s history.

The truth is this celebration of America’s historic milestone seems even more downplayed then the bicentennial in 1976 or even the 150th anniversary of America in 1926. While one could argue the reason for New York’s limited celebration of the 300th anniversy Henry Hudson’s journey up in 2009 was due to the depths of recession and necessary government cost-cutting in those tough times, this year there really isn’t much of a justification for holding back beyond it being seen as a crass celebration of President Donald Trump’ s ego more then a celebration of the great progress America has made, even if it has seen many set backs in more recent times.

Every time I see the America 250 logo, I dislike the swoopy ribbon like 250, though it is in many ways an improvement over the first draft that looks like some guy with Microsoft Paint typed America over 250. At least there was some artistry but it was still overly swoopy and soft. And it really doesn’t represent what America should represent – a melting pot of ideas and cultures – one where people are free to experiment and where the market in voting and commericalism will decide which ones rise to the top. A cooperative spirt, not one squishy and soft without direction. The 1976 bicentennial logo was vastly more attractive.

While there will be inevitable fireworks shows and historic displays, it seems like this year’s celebration will be down scaled and toned down. The amount of commercial products and businesses playing up the 250th anniversary will be limited, as they don’t want to be too closely associated with the Trump administration. And the debate of how much should focus on America’s revoluntary history versus it’s cultural and inner battles over democracy and civil rights will overshadow the whole celebration, even if both celebrating the Revoluntary War and the Civil Rights Movement are important to understanding America and it’s triumphs and tribulations over it’s past 250th year. But alas, celebrations are waste of limited taxpayer resources that could be better spent on helping people. People aren’t as proud of America anymore, showing pride towards your country and it’s institutions both good and bad, seems to be more a of crass form of partisanship and commercialism.