As another Independence Day arrives, the United States has collapsed.
The nation is divided into different countries with separate realities.
Now, we are ruled by the Supreme Court's gang of six, a religious conservative cult that cares more for big corporations and the wealthy than American citizens.
Goodbye, separation of church and state. Goodbye, equal protection under the law. Goodbye, separation of powers.
The Supreme Court once upheld the law of the land. Now, in overturning aborition rights, the Court has returned to the pre-Civil War rule of individual states.
Women in Mississippi and Texas don't have the same rights as those in California and New York. This violates the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law.
Joe Biden's election gave hope that normal government would return. But the turmoil and chaos of the Trump era has worsened.
Despite supporting the violent overthrow of the government and false claims of election fraud, the Republicans appear headed to control of the Congress, and likely the presidency in 2024.
Beyond fuming and muttering, the Democratic Party seems incapable of developing effective programs.
On this Independence Day, John Prine's "The Great Compromise" looks more on target than ever.
She had a way with all the men in her life
Every inch of her blossomed in beauty
She was born on the fourth of July
And she worked in a juke box saloon
And she spent all the money that I gave her
Just to see the old man in the moon
And awake in the dawn's early light
But much to my surprise
When I opened my eyes
I was a victim of the great compromise
To the drive-in on Route 41
And it was there that I first suspected
That she was doin' what she'd already done
And she knew I had to walk pretty far
And as soon as I passed through the moonlight
She hopped into a foreign sports car
And awake in the dawn's early light
But much to my surprise
When I opened my eyes
I was a victim of the great compromise
But it was her that had hopped into his car
Many times I'd fought to protect her
But this time she was goin' too far.
'Cause I left her at the drive-in that night
But I'd druther have names thrown at me
Than to fight for a thing that ain't right
And awake in the dawn's early light
But much to my surprise
When I opened my eyes
I was a victim of the great compromise
Saying, "Greetings, come and see me real soon"
And they go and line up in the barroom
Spend the night in that sick woman's room.
And I wish she was my girl instead
But she won't let me live with her
And she makes me live in my head.
And awake in the dawn's early light
But much to my surprise
When I opened my eyes
I was a victim of the great compromise