VOL. XVII, NO. 7
JANUARY 16, 1976
Advent of Buy-centennial Confuses
Many Americans
Many Americans
By CINDY BURGSTROM
The advent of the Buy‑centennial has wrought many Americans confused. Businesses have taken up on the patriotic theme and commercialized our nation's two hundredth birthday.
There are Bicentennial stickers, badges, clothes, coins, stamps, and even cars. I am so over‑Bicentennialized that I'm tired of the whole thing even before it is really here.
People seem to think that by waving a flag on the Fourth of July they have done their patriotic duty and put their feelings away until next year. If everybody did that, there would not be the kind of America that we have today.
The advent of the Buy‑centennial has wrought many Americans confused. Businesses have taken up on the patriotic theme and commercialized our nation's two hundredth birthday.
There are Bicentennial stickers, badges, clothes, coins, stamps, and even cars. I am so over‑Bicentennialized that I'm tired of the whole thing even before it is really here.
People seem to think that by waving a flag on the Fourth of July they have done their patriotic duty and put their feelings away until next year. If everybody did that, there would not be the kind of America that we have today.
Somebody is out there working for the good of the country; and despite the situation in American politics today, people care what happens to their country otherwise, America would not be a democracy.
The full realization of how great our country is comes when people visit or reside in other countries for a time. Only when they lose the freedoms and privileges Americans have grown accustomed to do they really begin to appreciate what we have in our country.
The real message of the Bicentennial is to get involved. Join an organization for the benefit of America and stick with it, not just for the Bicentennial year, but always. If everyone did something to help the country in some way, America would become a true cooperative democracy for the people, by the people, and of the people.
The full realization of how great our country is comes when people visit or reside in other countries for a time. Only when they lose the freedoms and privileges Americans have grown accustomed to do they really begin to appreciate what we have in our country.
The real message of the Bicentennial is to get involved. Join an organization for the benefit of America and stick with it, not just for the Bicentennial year, but always. If everyone did something to help the country in some way, America would become a true cooperative democracy for the people, by the people, and of the people.