Ain't that America ...

... for you and me.
Ain't that America somethin' to see baby
Ain't that America home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses for you and me ...

(John Mellencamp)


The last years have been tough on just about everyone in the U.S. I'd say the only people not suffering are the rich who can afford everything the rest of the country can only dream of. Those little pink houses? They are still as far away as when Mellencamp wrote that song.
Michigan has been hit harder than a lot of other states. Unemployment is still massively high, cuts on education are threatening not only jobs but the future of an entire generation. While the car industry is fighting back hard major companies in my neck of the woods are closing up shop and moving their stuff to Mexico leaving the people of south west Michigan to fend for themselves. Rats, sinking ship anyone?

In a recent issue, Newsweek called Grand Rapids (an hour north of us) a 'dying city'. Well, that's very helpful, isn't it? That'll make people want to start taking their business to Michigan. *rolls eyes* Fortunately, Grand Rapids didn't roll over; they said: "we may be down but we are not out. Take THIS!, Newsweek.
Please, even if you never click anything, you do want to see this. Roger Ebert calls it the best video ever. I've cried over it three times already.

It should come to no surprise that I cried all over the annual Paw Paw Memorial Day Service as well. Even with our crummy high school band (sorry guys!), the failing sound system, the failing voice of the boy singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic and the shooting of guns, it still didn't deter me from shedding tears.
Then we walked with the American Legion to Pioneer Cemetery where they honoured 'our' only Revolutionary War Veteran Mr. William Dyckman.

I'm feeling oddly patriotic today. But not the kind where you wear a t-shirt with a flag and an eagle and yell U.S.A! like a lunatic, but the REAL kind where you want to sing: "My land is your land" and make a difference.

Maybe I should apply for citizenship ;)