July fourth

The United States of America,
a country I like and love,
a country which I shall never understand.

The United States of America,
the land of freedom, violence and greed ;
land of cruelty and understanding ;
the land of all contradictions.

The United States of America,
land of unlimited opportunity for all,
of milk and honey for the multitudes ...

or is that an enduring legend
built on smoke and mirrors
by the rich and for the rich ?

Sometimes the good characteristics prevail ;
often they do not ...

The United States of America,
a shining example for the rest of the world ?

I used to think so.