My understanding is that the 250th birthday of the United States of America is July 4, 2026, in recognition of the signing of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776.  The move toward independence began earlier.  More can be read here.

On July 4, 2025 – our 249th birthday, we began our 250th year as a democracy.  We begin our 251st year July 4, 2026.  As of today, January 1, 2026, we are near half way through our 250th year as a country.  Our future as a democracy is by no means assured….

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I offer a proposal.  The first half of this 250th year has emphasized “retribution”.  I propose that we actively dedicate the second half of this birthday year to “contribution” in the context of working for greater good for all of us, not just some of us.  In other words, to change the conversation from a negative to a positive, one action at a time.

Get actively involved in something related to the common good, something which requires you to go beyond your self-imposed limits.  We are a political society, and politics is every single one of us, regardless of our passion.

My standing definition of US is a bird which, to fly and thus survive, requires all parts to work together.  A right wing cannot function without a left wing, and a head is useless without the rest of the body.  A head cannot by itself function at all.  An individual part, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is important to the rest of the body.  (Today we are afflicted by influencers who may know nothing, but can dispense nothingness virally to millions – it is a dilemma, the only solution is to doubt and reject any glib purveyor of his or her ‘truth’.  We all have the right and the obligation to be discerning consumers.)

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This year for Christmas I purchased for all of my children and grandchildren the book “Let Them” by Mel Robbins.  I was apprehensive about doing this – why should they care what an old man recommends.  I was astonished how many of them were not only aware of the author and the book, but were enthusiastic about it.  Here’s a little information I provided to the family members about the book. Let Them.  Take a look.

POSTNOTES

If you wish: December 31 I did a year end post,  December 27 I published one entitled “Make do”

 

I looked for some official position on our countries 250th anniversary, and came across America250.  The google link behind the words is the AI page, which summarizes the controversies already in place about what the year will look like.  I would suggest taking a look at any of the links to perhaps get a bit of clarity on what can be a second revolutionary war.  I have little trust in the balance of position of this official commission.  But I think you might benefit by visiting especially the About pages and the definition of who the leaders of the program are.