Something I've been mulling recently is the slogan "God Bless America". I'm typically personally offended by bumper sticker policians. I mean, I take it personally in a way that I probably shouldn't, but I do. It has less to do with the actual message, and more to do with the use of the English Language. I'll be the first to admit that my grammar isn't always 100%, and I make the occasional spelling error, but I TRY VERY HARD to maintain a high level of adherence to the often insane laws of our language, and I am easily offended when other people don't.

Back to the subject. "Vote For [candidate]". This is a command. A direct, unapologetic command. If they read "Please Vote For [candidate]", then it would be a request. "Kerry/Edwards" and "W04" are shows of support, and don't offend me. But I swear, I would be offended if I saw a "VOTE KUCINICH" or "ELECT PENNACCHIO" sticker, because even though I cast my vote for Dennis and intend to do the same for Chuck, YOU DON'T FUCKING TELL ME TO DO IT. It's my choice, not yours.

And this brings me to the "God Bless America". Who is so arrogant as to command the diety they claim to fear and worship? That's insane! These people think that they are somehow more pious because they are demanding that their god bless their country. This is beyong fervor, this is beyond nationalism, this is downright insanity. I would never dream of using the slogan "Herne Bless America", because I don't want to tempt the wrath of a diety who would more than likely not appreciate being ordered about by a mortal.

So, one of these days, I'm going to design a bumper sticker that says "I'm not arrogant enough to demand that God bless my country. He will if we deserve it."

And that's the real point that offends me. "God Bless America". Are you kidding me? America takes money from the poor and gives it to the rich. America ignores the masses huddled in the path of a hurricane. America starts wars of aggression on lies and kills innocent men, women and children. America tortures people. America supports regimes that brutally rape and kill people. America supports policies that foster the spread of disease. America defends all this by pointing to the few other country that are worse and saying "they're worse". The god that I'm told is all-loving and all-caring about humanity wouldn't bless this country if it were the last one on Earth. And he certainly won't do so at the behest of people who, by and large, support the politicians who make all that possible.

-pb