Drape flag in black or invert it?

I'm having second thoughts about this year's July 4 celebration. I think we need to introduce a touch of black, and I'm not talking about skin color.

We call it "Fourth of July," but it's really Independence Day, celebrating our freedom from the British monarchy. There's deep meaning in that which has become lost in the secular celebrations of sports, barbecues, picnics, vacations – and even the fireworks.

Newspapers are filled with food ads to satisfy appetites and thirst, but the real meaning of the day – indeed, a day important enough to be a national holiday – is too often ignored.

On top of that, given what's been happening in and being done to this country and our liberties – to say nothing of our Constitution, I'm not certain we should even be celebrating; perhaps we should mourn.

How about instead of flying Old Glory in all its beautiful splendor, we fly it with a black ribbon draped across the stars and stripes?

When you consider all we've lost because of the administration of Barack Hussein Obama and his willing henchmen in government and the media, there's good reason for an element of mourning on this Independence Day.

We are not as free as we were barely six months ago, and we'll continue to be less free as the days pass and this administration puts in place rules, policies, czars, regulations and other whims of the man who is president. The end result is that this and generations to come will be burdened by a debt inconceivable by any sane person and burdened by the loss of freedoms unforeseen by any but the most dedicated Marxist whose goal is to bring the United States of America to its knees.

We're beginning to buckle, and if the changes continue unabated, that "red" dream may come to pass. If that happens, there won't be any Independence Day celebration at all.

Perhaps the politicians will substitute May Day, the day socialists and communists haul out armaments and the military to intimidate those who oppose totalitarianism.

Until then, we face the reality that given the changes that the man who is president has foisted on this country and what's still on his agenda to "accomplish" by year end; given what this Congress, in collusion with him, is perpetrating on us; given how our Constitution is being lacerated and our system of law is being shredded by partisan, law-making making judges, I'm left with the sense we have two choices.

We can fly the flag with a black ribbon or, if we really feel betrayed, we can fly it upside down. That's the traditional "distress" symbol, and if this country and our freedoms aren't "in distress" at this point in time, I don't know how else to describe it.

Fear? You bet. Concern, you bet.

Perhaps it boils down to the ultimate question: Are we being "taken over" or "sold out"?

Perhaps both, and it's a reminder to re-read the Declaration of Independence. The document outlines the outrages of the king and how the colonies wanted freedom. It's shocking how many of the issues are identical today. Here are just a few accusations against the king:

"Abolishing the free system of English laws."

"Establishing therein an arbitrary government."

Introducing "absolute rule … altering fundamentally the forms of our governments."

"… declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all Cases whatsoever."

"He has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution … giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation."

"He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the Amount and payment of their Salaries."

Then there's this one:

He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their substance.

That perfectly describes all of Obama "czars" with powers not answerable to the public. His latest "creation" of the new department to regulate financial markets is something the president actually called a needed "regime."

"Czars?" "Regime?" Hardly democratic semantics, and it raises questions. In just a few weeks, our government has taken over banking, mortgages, lending institutions, auto companies, corporate salaries, overall financial markets relating to consumer needs and still on the agenda, is government health care and amnesty to illegal aliens!

What next?

Add to that worldwide apology tours where the American president demeaned his own country; exhibited astonishing breaches of diplomatic protocol; refuses to support Iranians seeking a democratic government after a clearly stolen election while at the same time betraying Israel, our long standing ally and the only real democracy in the Middle East; and through it all, has gone to astounding lengths to cater to Islam while refusing to acknowledge the existence of the mortal threat from militant Islam.

The Declaration of Independence is clear that when the people see a pattern of abuse and usurpations of power that can reduce them to despotism … it is their Right, it is their duty, to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future Security.

We have the means to do that. It's called voting. The next congressional election is critical. Get rid of the incumbents, but in the meantime, decide how you'll fly Old Glory on the 4th – while you still can.