Washington columnist blasted Fourth of July messaging, arguing the holiday should be a moment to celebrate the country, not dwell on its shortcomings.
If you're one of these people who decided to take this incredible occasion to crap all over this republic, thank you, said the columnist on a popular news program. You're on the very wrong side of what should be a day where we all come together as Americans, as patriots.
The comments come amid a broader political debate over how to mark the nation's semiquincentennial. While many officials celebrated the milestone with traditional patriotic events, others used the occasion to emphasize America's unfinished promise and ongoing challenges.
One official who used the occasion to emphasize challenges was a major city mayor, who delivered an alternative America 250 address centered on immigration, inequality, and democratic reform. The mayor argued that America's greatness lies in its ability to change and criticized concentrated wealth, immigration enforcement, and political leaders who, he said, had fallen short of the country's ideals.
The columnist rejected that framing, arguing that Independence Day should focus on national unity rather than political grievances. The columnist also noted a widening partisan divide over patriotism and warned that pessimistic messaging is unlikely to resonate with voters.
The columnist pointed to successful messages from previous politicians, such as a "Shining City on the Hill" vision and a "Make America Great Again" slogan as examples of messages that inspired voters, contrasting them with recent campaign themes.
If Democrats want to say this country sucks, or Republicans want to say we're a great country, that's the way it's going to go, said the columnist.
