Photo Credit — Remington Write

You Keep Using This Word ‘Freedom’

I do not think it means what you think it means

Here is exactly what you are free to do this long holiday weekend, Bruce. You are free to get drunk and burn the hamburgers on the grill. You and the Missus are free to hit the — ack — Independence Day sales at Walmart. You are also free to possibly blow your thumb off lighting one of the illegal cherry bombs you had Griffy pick up across the state line last week.

Here are a few of the things you and everyone you know are not free to do. Not this weekend. Not ever. Ready?

• Work your entire adult life and count on a secure retirement in your old age
• Access health care that doesn’t bankrupt you if you’re diagnosed with cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, an autoimmune disorder, diabetes, or — wait for it — Long Covid
• Know that wherever you live the water coming out of the kitchen faucet is safe to drink
• Be secure in the knowledge that Bruce, Jr. and little Katie will be safe at school
• Rest assured that your elected representatives are acting in your family’s best interest

And, Bruce? This is not a comprehensive list. So, ease up on the red, white, and blue this year, k?