Today is the Glorious Fourth.

The official birthday of the United States of America, which is of course the greatest nation in the history of the world, and a beacon of hope for humanity.

It is always tempting to treat life’s current problems as being unique. Surely things have never been this bad. Or surely so many people have never had things this bad. Or there has never been such a combination of different, bad things, all happening at once. There is a certain grim enjoyment to be found, in such thoughts. It feeds the streak of masochism that dwells in the human heart. And perhaps the parallel streak of self-regard. Look at me! Things are horrible, but I’m still here! I’m tough! I don’t judge such a reaction, provided that people don’t take it too far.

With that in mind, allow me to rip off the bandage: this is not the worst year America’s ever had. It is, frankly, not even in the top fifty. What we think of as ‘awfulness,’ 99% of recorded history would score as ‘how do we sneak in?’ If this be misery, and if it does love company… well, company would love it right back.

So go have some food. Drink a tasty beverage. Shoot off some fireworks; for it is the Glorious Fourth.

Moe Lane

PS: Usually these pieces come with some kind of sop to those who can’t bear to see something praised, unless there’s some pro forma condemnation of its flaws. I have ruthlessly suppressed the impulse. Instead, here’s a link to my catalog. If you’re so determined to be miserable today, you might as well try to fight it by reading one of my books.

#commissionearned