Staff Reports
Hold onto your tri-cornered hats, folks! Independence Day is upon us, and as we prepare the grill and gather the family, let’s take a moment to appreciate the words of two patriotic leaders who embody the spirit of American greatness. First up, President Ronald Reagan, the man whose every speech should be etched in Mount Rushmore. Reagan’s 1984 Independence Day address reminded the nation that America’s entrepreneurial spirit was leading the charge for freedom globally. While the liberal ‘thinkers’ were busy shutting down small businesses with red tape, Reagan was out there pushing the U.S. into space and into history, likening America to a rocket ready to soar. This was the Gipper at his finest, painting a future where American exceptionalism isn’t just a term—it’s a reality.
Fast forward to 2020, and another champion of American values took to a famous backdrop to remind Americans why Independence Day matters. President Donald Trump, with his usual flair, heralded July 4, 1776, as the most significant day in the history of nations, speaking to a crowd at Mount Rushmore that could’ve been straight from a Norman Rockwell painting. Trump praised the American Revolution for not only its groundbreaking governance but also its relentless pursuit of justice, equality, and prosperity. When he declared that no nation has done more to advance the human condition than the United States, it’s safe to say the left had a conniption fit. Trump’s words weren’t just nostalgic; they were a promise that America’s best days are still ahead.
Inside the Beltway: Recalling Ronald Reagan's words on Independence Day 40 years ago – https://t.co/vHkt3jI3bC – @washtimes
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) July 3, 2024
Meanwhile, the American love for a good light show isn’t fading. The American Pyrotechnics Association reports that this year’s fireworks sales are set to explode, even with the dreaded “I” word—inflation—looming. Real Americans, who know how to celebrate freedom, are expected to spend over $2.4 billion on fireworks for the 2024 season. Julie Heckman, obviously a patriot, has kindly reminded all to purchase only legal consumer fireworks, leaving the professional-grade stuff to the highly trained. It’s a sensible caution in a season of red, white, and boom.
Fox News, the beacon of true patriotism, is dedicating a chunk of airtime to its “Proud American” series, featuring all the fanfare that makes the red states proud and the blue ones squirm. Co-hosts like Carley Shimkus and Lawrence Jones will bring fireworks displays from Washington, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, complete with musical performances and heartfelt messages from veterans. Compare that to mainstream media’s doom-and-gloom headlines, and there’s not much of a contest, is there?
Finally, let’s not forget AAA’s travel projections for the “holiday travel period.” With over 70.9 million Americans preparing to travel 50 miles or more, that’s a 5% increase from the previous year. So much for those progressive predictions that people would stop traveling due to climate guilt or whatever the latest left-wing fear-mongering tactic is. Whether by car, plane, train, or bus, Americans are fully embracing the freedom to move—a tradition as old as the country itself.
To round it out, a National Retail Federation survey hints at how Americans plan to spend this glorious holiday. 66% are planning a cookout, 44% will watch fireworks, and let’s face it, if you’re not participating in these quintessentially American activities, it might be time to question your citizenship. So, fire up those grills, light up the skies, and revel in the freedoms generously provided and preserved by many great leaders over the years.
Happy Independence Day, America! Keep those flags waving and the patriotic spirit alive.
