Ashes of American Flags

"Two hundred fifty years is a pretty long time, and, in certain fundamental respects, the future seems bright. America continues to be a singular engine of material dynamism. The generation of wealth and new technologies is foremost an American phenomenon, as it has been for a century, give or take. The U.S. has a geographic situation that is the envy of the world: a continent-spanning territory, the largest population in the hemisphere, a still relatively homogenous culture (despite some pretty impressive efforts!), small, pliant neighbors,"

"The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission's website touts such stimulations as a national volunteer program and last June's somewhat overhyped military parade. There was a tacky light show on the sides of the Washington Monument. The White House YouTube has AI-generated videos recounting episodes in the War of Independence from the "first person" and a significantly less nauseous series of lectures produced in partnership with Hillsdale College."

National celebrations for the 250th anniversary include volunteer programs, military displays, monument light shows, and online historical videos. The United States retains strong material dynamism, leading in wealth creation and technological innovation, supported by a continent-spanning territory, abundant natural resources, and favorable demographics. Geographic isolation, the Federal Reserve, and distance from recent foreign entanglements have shielded the country from severe external shocks. Even lower-income Americans maintain relatively high living standards. Despite these advantages, public sentiment is souring, with a growing share of citizens saying the country is on the wrong track after a prior dip in pessimism.

Read at The American Conservative