Let Freedom Ring

Some call me a Meganut, but here’s what I believe:
I believe in freedom with every red, white and blue
Fiber of my being. I believe in the freedom
To celebrate myself at the expense of those not like me.
I believe my freedom requires people to do things my way.
I believe my freedom requires that my religion
Be taught in the public schools and celebrated
In the courts, in municipal offices, and in the public square.
I believe in the sanctity of cellular human life
Over the lives of people who might need some help.
I believe in the freedom of kids to go hungry.
I believe in the freedom to ration health care according
To the ability to pay. I believe in the freedom
To distort my nation’s history so that people
Don’t have to feel bad about slavery, racism,
Genocide or lynchings. I believe people should be free
To say that police violence is always justified.

I believe that seniors with dementia should be free
To freeze to death by the side of a road and not impose
Any public burden for nursing homes and elder care.
I believe that kids should be free to love their country
Uncritically, no matter its transgressions of law or human rights.
I believe my country should be free to impose its will
With economic extortion or the barrel of a gun.
I believe in the freedom to lie whenever it’s convenient.
I believe in the freedom to worship money and property
Over life and simple human need. I believe in the freedom
To pretend to care about anything when really what’s important
Is just me and whatever I value. I believe in the freedom
To think that God only loves money-worshippers.
I believe in the freedom to betray any ally or friend
When it suits my higher purpose, which is myself.
I believe in the freedom to ruin the environment, to pollute
The air and water and to sicken the poor and the weak.
I believe in the freedom to drill, baby, drill.
May God bless the land of the free and the home of whatever works.

John Jiambalvo is the author of two collections of poetry, Shadows Walking Among Questions and Americana Collection, as well as a satiric novel, Smirk. Read other articles by John.