Happy Birthday to Soapblox!
While we had a large 9 month or so preparation phase, the official launch of Soapblox.com was on the 4th of July. We may only be one year old and there is obviously more growing that needs to be done, yet so much has changed in that first year and a lot of progress has been made.
We are born on the 4th of July and I would like to point that out, as our roots are American as American can get. I speak not for my self when I say that here at Soapblox, we stand tall for our nation and celebrate the pride of the world’s first modern democracy. While it may have been first, and it may be powerful, it is not immune from sliding backward into past mistakes and above losing it’s true democratic essence. Democracy needs participation! Which is why Soapblox.com was created, under the belief that anything that can be done, must be done to keep our population from sliding into a veil of ignorance.
This site is devoted to the Progressive movement, one which will ultimately save this nation from the clutches of those wishing to squash democracy in the name of capitalism, theocracy and tyranny, one that believes in improving our schools, preserving our way of life and improving the quality of its citizens. This movement will fight and fight hard to combat such corrupt and greedy forces that wish to circumvent due process of law in order to fatten their wallets.
I always envisioned this site to be equivalent to those living in Colonial America, whom stood on street corners and passed out pamphlets and broadsides convincing colonials of a particular point of view. In a way, that’s exactly what we are doing, standing on a digital street corner, passing out small broadsides and commentaries on the current conditions we live through every day. While it’s not exactly Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”, it is inspired by such American’s who fought and died to create a more perfect union, free from monarchy and free from theocracy. A nation to which economic opportunity and upward mobility would be accessible to all of its citizens (although this took another 200 years to even come close to).
Some conservatives whine about how anyone that complains about the current regime are “un-American”. I say to such hypocrites: “give me liberty or give me death!” There is nothing more American than protesting the government and working hard to improve it. The colonials were steeped in it, the Post-Revolutionary period saw Shays Rebellion, there were constant protests, some in the defense of liberty, some to expand civil-rights, end slavery and even some shameful riots and protests in defense of slavery and Jim Crow. Conservatives organized a movement to protest World War II, and keep the U.S. from fighting, the youth took to the streets to protest Vietnam and the draft in the sixties. Protest and the right to speak out is as American as the American Flag. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs some education.
I believe in this country and I still believe it can continue to be great, despite the unbelievable economic, social, cultural, ethical and overall decline it has taken in recent years.
This Fourth of July, I celebrate two birthdays. One of this 230-year-old Democracy, another of this 1-year-old pamphleteering operation.
Happy Birthday Soapblox, and Happy Birthday America!