Cost of Freedom: Breaking Down America’s Spending This Independence Day

    What does the 4th of July mean to you? Or mean to America for that matter? Dollar, dollar bills, that’s what…

    tumblr_o27bvgGf2s1qdy1o2o1_250As our nation celebrates the 240th anniversary of Independence Day, an entire country of citizens pridefully adorn red, white, and blue. But it isn’t all star-spangled banners, stomachs filled with classic BBQ favorites like hot dogs and watermelon, and shoppers ready to pounce on the mammoth holiday sales…

    Nope… that would be preposterous for the United States to be so ignorant as to what it is really supposed to be all about. Freedom? Nah. Liberty? Not so much. Justice for all? Give me a break.

    As election year is upon the people, we find ourselves more politically divided than ever. Ya know, equality, gun-control, astronomical debt… real serious sh*t!

    In times of reflection, our very own humane morality is constantly being questioned and challenged by each other and the outside borders. Voters beware.

    My immediate instinct is to daydream of a much safer time, under the governed rule of the greatest president known throughout our ancient history- Bill Pullman. Let us remember…

    Mankind — that word should have new meaning for all of us today.

    We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore.

    We will be united in our common interests.

    Perhaps its fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution — but from annihilation.

    We’re fighting for our right to live, to exist.

    And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice:

    “We will not go quietly into the night!

    We will not vanish without a fight!

    We’re going to live on!

    We’re going to survive!

    Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!”

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    Seriously. Goosebumps ya’ll. I doubt a leader has moved me since. Perhaps that kind of bravery is only in the movies afterall. Anyway…

    In case our commonwealth’s educational system has failed miserably and you have retained zero information regarding basic knowledge (quite possible), authentically speaking, July Fourth is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Continental Congress announced that the thirteen American colonies distinguished themselves as a new nation, under God, yada, yada, yada… Just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page before moving forward.

    Whether you are in the process of chasing the American dream, broke or rich, we are all equal in relating to the big bucks that will be spent this extended weekend. Money, huh? I guess green paper bills are the one thing that we can all agree we need more of, yet most of us continuously consume what we don’t need and pay out what we don’t have. It’s the American way. Besides, doesn’t false patriotism come at a price?

    As we salute and memorialize countless nationalistic traditions and moments on every social media platform, our grief seems to be as ‘on steroids’ as our triumphs. It only makes sense that American spending habits would mirror the same sentiment.

      DealsPlus decided to examine the numbers behind America’s 3-day summer recess:

    • 79% of people plan on spending $1-50 during the 4th weekend sales
    • 3% of people plan on spending upwards of $151 on recreation
    • 63% of people will be spending their day at a cookout/BBQ
    • 9% of people will be traveling alone or with family
    • 27% of people will be watching fireworks
    • 48 million consumers shell our hard-earned presidential flashcards just of patriotic gear
    • 6.7 billion dollars are spent just on food

    DealsPlus Independence Day 2016 (002)

    Happy Birthday U.S.A!

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