Every year on July 4th
America paints itself in red, white, and blue. Firework shows are held in most cities. American flags are seen everywhere. We barbecue and play spades with family. It’s a day wrapped in the language of freedom, independence, and patriotism.
But what happens when the very freedoms we celebrate on Independence Day begin to erode—not from foreign threats, but from within our own government?
Last week, Congress passed what they call the “Big Beautiful Bill.” On paper, it promises security, order, and national pride. Despite its poetic name, the law contradicts the concept of freedom in America.
Here’s the real deal on the “Big Beautiful Bill”
- Ohio’s Medicaid expansion is threatened, meaning 300,000-510,000 Ohioans in this category could lose coverage by 2029
- Ohio could lose 3 million current Medicaid recipients (1 in 4 Ohioans rely on this)
- Ohio hospitals risk losing more than $1 billion annually, forcing service cuts, layoffs and even preventable patient deaths
- Ohioans with disabilities must navigate paperwork hurdles and new work requirements, potentially blocking access to services
- Ohio’s SNAP funding may decrease by 30%, which would impact low-income families.
It’s being sold as “fiscal responsibility.” But let’s call it what it is: a rollback of basic human rights.
Independence for Who? This Bill will:
- Allow government agencies to collect more personal data from everyday Americans without a warrant.
- Expand restrictions on protest zones.
- Monitor online critiques and disagreements with government policies
- Strip away protections gained during the civil rights movement
- What was once unthinkable—searching your private messages without consent, arresting protestors for “disturbing national morale,” or tracking your location under vague “public safety” claims—is now law.
Let’s be clear: This isn’t just policy. This is Authoritarianism.
The “Independence Day” Hypocrisy
For many African-Americans, Independence Day marks both a national celebration and a reflection on historical injustices.
While this weekend should have been spent celebrating our hard-won progress, we were given a painful reminder that our most vulnerable are still under attack from elected officials who desire to turn the clock back and “Make America Great Again.”
What Now?
If we truly believe in freedom, then July 4th must be a call to action. Not just to wave flags, but to:
- Hold our elected officials accountable.
- Stay vigilant about the erosion of civil liberties.
- Educate ourselves on the laws being passed.
- And most of all, remember that democracy only lives when the people are awake.
