I was talking with someone today who pointed out that today might be our very last Independence Day. At least, in the way that we’ve thought of it till now.
Depending on how things go on November 25, by this time next year it might be illegal to question our government’s policies. As of a few days ago, it is now perfectly legal for the U.S. President to issue an executive order declaring that any criticism of the U.S. government is an act of sedition, punishable by imprisonment.
I very much doubt that the current administration would issue any such order. But I cannot say the same thing about next year, when we might have a very different administration.
Such a policy might seem odd to those of us who grew up in the U.S., but it is perfectly normal elsewhere. There are many countries in the world where criticism of the government is an offense punishable by imprisonment, or even, in the case of Iran or Sudan, by execution.
So enjoy this holiday while you can. And don’t forget to vote in November. It might be the very last time you get to do that.