We bought thoroughly into the concept that rich white males knew what was best for us, meanwhile sending us into endless conflicts without official declaration, killing millions, losing thousands of our own, so Fortune 500 companies could become even more powerful, along with banks. 

We bought that Columbus was a good guy, that eminent domain and manifest destiny was good. We sat back and watched our leaders take us into conflict after conflict that had absolutely nothing to do with keeping us safe and free. 

The result has been millions dead around the world, a nuclear shadow the likes of which we have no full understanding of, and a country history of genocide, invasion, disruption, discrimination, while totally straying away from the Pursuit of Happiness and other specific goals and general ideals found in our national documents.

Millions of American citizens knew the Vietnam War was wrong. We didn't listen to them, and we enlisted and we served and we died and we came home changed physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not all of us landed within Vietnam or actual combat, but we were all part of the effort.

Fast forward 50 years, and I can see clearly now. Much more clear, than ever. The national Pursuit of Happiness has been corrupted, hopefully not forever, by an increasingly and well-funded corporate world, and an allegedly defense-minded govt, that cannot rein itself in.

Congress last declared war on Dec 8, 1941. Since the end of that conflict, we have invaded/attacked Korea, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and have forces in over 70 countries. We define patriotism solely as serving one's country with military service. 

We set aside the genocidal conduct of America since at least 1900's attacks and slaughter of the Hawaiian and Philipino people, and the Native Americans the previous century. We downgrade and spin this in our nation's textbooks. We do not pause to think of the the millions of civilian casualties who have died in conflicts around the globe in actions instigated by our own govt in the names of freedom and democracy, but in truth, mostly for profit. 

Now, we have multiple calls for a Space Force, apparently to be funded from our empty treasury. We have forgotten about the plaque we put on the moon in 1969: "..we came in peace for all mankind."  Clearly that's out the window.

When we will truly become a peaceful, non-violent nation devoted to the general health and well-being of all of its residents and all of our worldy neighbors? When will we stop stirring up war around the globe? Imagine a different kind of patriotism. Imagine all living as one.

Imagine.  We live under a nuclear threat so great it's un-imaginable.

Let's try pursuing Happiness. And Peace.