America Has A Big Birthday Tomorrow
July 3, 2026
This article was also published on my blog.
America will be 250 years old tomorrow.
I remember the bicentennial very well. I was a high school student in a somewhat small town in South Carolina. There were parades with marching bands and fire trucks. People decorated their homes with red, white, and blue ribbons, wreathes, and flags. Friends, neighbors, and families expressed feelings of patriotism and nostalgia. The Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Watergate crisis were in our rearview mirror. It was a fun celebration.
Everything feels different fifty years later.
I find it difficult to celebrate the 250th anniversary of a democracy that is becoming less democratic right before our eyes. America’s democracy is built on a foundation of constitutional freedoms. Many of our freedoms are being compromised, altered, or shattered. The greatest freedoms that I feel have been damaged are freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Both are being restricted and muffled.
I can’t even imagine what America will be in fifty years.
In addition to wishing the country returns to a true sense of patriotism - respect for the constitution, and an understanding that all Americans matter - regardless of sexual orientation, religious beliefs (or none), color of skin, and political tenants, I hope there is a cure for Alzheimer’s.
I believe a cure will be discovered in the next twenty years. It seems like the cure for Alzheimer’s is a giant puzzle with dozens of missing pieces. Slowly, the missing pieces are discovered. As a first step, researchers are moving closer to understanding the cause of this horrible disease. I think there will be strong preventive measures available long before a cure is discovered. Let’s hope so.
It will require a lot of money and strong international teamwork to complete the Alzheimer’s cure puzzle. Sadly, just as our democracy is at risk of failing, so is the desire for both government and private organizations to make the needed sacrifices to fund Alzheimer’s research. The resources are readily available to discover the cause of Alzheimer’s and ultimately, develop the cure. In my opinion, the priorities of the people and organizations that control the needed resources are fucked up misguided, selfish, and narcissistic.
Seven million Americans are dying from Alzheimer’s as the country celebrates its semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) this weekend. By 2050, that number will likely double.
Please explain to me how finding a cure for Alzheimer’s is not an urgent priority.
I hope everyone has a safe and fun celebration of the 250th anniversary of America. Linda and I will have a quiet weekend at home. We are so grateful for the many people who support us in their thoughts, prayers, and gifts.