4th of July- 'Merica, Fuck Yeah

On the 238th birthday of the United States of America, we all celebrate by blowing shit up and eating lots of grilled food. But what are we celebrating really? Well, on this 4th of July, I want to list the things that I celebrate today:

1. Today, I celebrate being able to say whatever I want without fear of imprisonment. While there are consequences to it in my career and from others, I cannot be imprisoned for my speech. I'm also thankful that we all have the freedom to believe whatever we want to believe, whether that be in a deity or lack of. And while we have that freedom to believe, we also have the freedom to not have other people's beliefs to take away our rights.

2. I celebrate being able to protect myself, my family, my property.

3. While our troops fight a war, whether one agrees with it or not, I celebrate today that my house remains my own. While I support our troops, have love for my friends in the military, I am thankful I have the choice to open my home to them, not be forced to give it up for the military.

4. On the note of having freedom in my home, today, I celebrate that police and government cannot enter my home without probable cause, that I am protected from unwarranted searches and seizures.

5. Today, I celebrate that I have the right to not incriminate myself. While I have that right, I'm also grateful that my right to not incriminate myself cannot be legally used against me.

6. If I am ever in trouble with the law, today, I celebrate that I have the right to be judged by peers, not the government.  I also celebrate that I have the right to face my accuser.

7. It also good for me to celebrate today the right to still be judged by my peers in a federal court.

8. Today, I celebrate that we are protected from cruel and unusual punishment, but also that we are protected from outrageous fines for any crime we may commit.

9. Today, I especially celebrate that the aforementioned rights I have are not my only rights. That I continue to have rights outside of the set 10. Because, let's face it, these don't cover everything.

10. As a citizen of not only this great country, but an individual state, today I celebrate my state's right to set it's own laws. It keeps things interesting, and makes people love or hate a state more than the others.

11. Today, it's nice to celebrate that citizens of other states or other countries can't bring my state to court.

12. Today, I celebrate the ability to be part of the presidential selection process; assuming things are done the way originally intended and is free of corruption....

13. While it would make house chores easier, today, I particularly celebrate that we cannot enslave anyone. If we claim to be a free country, everyone must be free.

14. Today, I celebrate loudly that my state cannot make me a second class citizen. I am equal, and I deserve equal protections under the law.

15. Piggy-backing off my 12th reason, today I celebrate having the right to vote.

16. Today, I don't really celebrate paying taxes. But I guess, if I need to celebrate- I celebrate having paved roads, working bridges, police, firefighters, EMTs, and much more that our taxes pay for.

17. I celebrate today having 2 representatives from my state in the Federal government to represent my voice. But I'm thankful their term is limited, assuming we don't vote them back in.

18. I'm not so much grateful for the prohibition of alcohol....

19. I'm a woman. So today, I celebrate that *I* have the right to vote.

20. While I use my vote, sometimes there just isn't a good candidate. So, today, I celebrate limited terms for Commander in Chief.

21. So today, I celebrate that alcohol is back on the menu.

22. I'm just really really celebrating limited presidential terms.

23. Today, I celebrate the idea of Congress and how they are appointed. Congress can be a great idea if politicians weren't in it.

24. If I don't pay my taxes, I can still vote. That's something to celebrate today!

25. Today I celebrate having a backup if the leader leaves.

26. We really really REALLY need to celebrate that we can vote.

27. I'm not really celebrating paying senators.

While those 27 things are worth celebrating, let's remember those aren't the only 27 things that make this country great. So tell me... aside from fireworks, servicemen/women, beer, and BBQ, what are you celebrating today?