FIFTY YEARS AGO, my friend Barb married Chuck during the bicentennial year. She themed her wedding in red, white and blue.
That same year, my dad bought a boxcar full of hay to feed his cattle during one of Minnesota’s worst droughts ever.
And in 1976, I attended Farmfest, an agricultural exhibition and bicentennial celebration near Lake Crystal in southern Minnesota.
That trio of memories defines the bicentennial for me. I wasn’t thinking about the stability of the U.S. or anything political back then. But, oh, how my thoughts have shifted in 50 years. In 2026, I find myself worried about the future of this country.
In June 2025, I attended my first protest. Since then, I’ve become a regular on the protest line in my community, publicly raising my voice every Saturday morning against the current administration. I never thought that at my age, I would be protesting. But there I am standing street-side, shoulder-to-shoulder with others as concerned as me about the leadership in America and the very real threats to our democracy. “Very” is not a word I like to use. But I can’t think of a suitable synonym.
What concerns me? Threats to voting rights. Threats to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Threats to individual liberty. Threats to the environment. Unlawful immigration enforcement. Lack of due process. Unauthorized and unnecessary war. A lack of checks and balances in a government of executive, legislative and judicial branches. Unchecked power. Unqualified individuals in federal government leadership positions. Cuts to Medicaid, education and more areas than I can possibly list. A Congress that mostly seems to lack a backbone, that caters to the president. Inflation. Tariffs. The high price of everything. The pardoning of insurrectionists. Abuse of power. Lies, lies and more lies. So much. So much.
I find all of this incredibly challenging in this semiquincentennial year when we should all be focused on celebrating. But if I pause and reflect among all the uncertainty and chaos, I recognize that I still have a voice. I am free to express myself. To write. To disagree. To hold a protest sign.
And, for now, that is something worth celebrating.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
“A love of country can coexist with a fierce criticism of it, and peaceful protest is arguably the epitome of patriotism. It is the work of those who love a country strongly enough to insist on trying to close the gap between what it is and what it could be.” (Steven B. Smith, The Atlantic, July 2026). So, Audrey, keep expressing yourself – it’s more than some of us are doing.
I am deeply grateful for your comment with the quote from Steven B. Smith. This further validates my decision to peacefully protest. Thank you!
Thank you for cataloging your and my fears about our society/country. Something reminded me of my trip to Berlin in 1991 and that in turn reminded me of the summer of 1961 (the Berlin Wall creation). In the early ’60s, I worried and feared for our future, but not as much as I worry and fear now.
It’s interesting to hear your thoughts regarding the Berlin Wall and the current state of affairs in the US right now. You have every reason to feel worried and afraid, as are many of us. So I protest and do whatever I can to enlighten and to make my voice heard.
I, too, have spent the morning remembering and reliving parts of July 4, 1976. I was living in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania within walking distance of the battlefield. My son was not yet 6 years old, but we explored the site frequently. Part of Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech on Nov.19, 1863 at the Consecration of the National Cemetery was often heard : “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” I am also thinking about the fact that the assembled Statue of Liberty was presented to the U.S. Minister to France on July 4, 1884 in Paris. Then disassembled it was shipped to the U.S. on a French Navy ship arriving in the New York Harbor in June 1875 and after much work was unveiled on October 28, 1886. I share one last thought with you spoken by Mark Twain in a New York City speech on March 16, 1901 : “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, but your government only when it deserves it.” Thank-you!
The last sentence in your comment really resonates with me. I had not thought of support for country in this light. Mark Twain’s statement is spot on accurate. Thank you for sharing your personal stories and for the Twain quote. The comments from readers on this post have been thoughtful and insightful, which I appreciate.
it is such a contrast since that time, and like you, i never imagined against what we are now and how to find our way back. it is a day to celebrate that we are still standing, and will continue to –
Yes, we are still standing! That much I can say.
I agree with your thoughts on the current administration. And, like you, I also believe we still have things to celebrate on this 4th of July. I heard a recent prayer request and I liked the way it was stated… pray for the preservation of our democracy. That is what I am doing.
Yes, we still have much to celebrate in this country. And that’s important to remember in these challenging times. I like that prayer framed to democracy. Thank you for sharing that.
My heart is with yours, Audrey, as I’m sure are the hearts of many other concerned Americans.
I hope you are right. I still see a lot of support for the current administration.