Everyday, there’s plenty of bad news, and really, when was there a time without bad news? Adversity is just a fact of life, but it’s how we deal with problems and troubles that defines the strength of a people and the character of a country. The economy is stumbling, our leaders are fumbling, and the press and punditry are incessantly bumbling about what an awful wretched nation we live in. The leftist celebrity elite sniff at Independence Day and oddly bemoan the holiday as pointless. Against this absurd backdrop of anti-American animosity and cynicism, average Americans just ignore it all and gladly gather their families and friends to celebrate the birth of the greatest nation in the history of the world.

The bureaucrats and economists have not yet admitted the USA is in a recession, but working Americans already know it. They feel the squeeze buying groceries and at the pump, as Biden’s relentless inflation devours American purchasing power. Persistent inflation is also pushing up interest rates putting homes out of reach and slowly eroding the value of hard earned investments. It can all be quite disheartening, but Americans have heart.

Americans have routinely faced hard times throughout our history, and each time they cope with what they have and steel themselves to the hardships. They may cut back, grow a garden, or take on an extra job, but they will survive and eventually again thrive. Americans intrinsically know American industry and ingenuity will always triumph. They are aggravated and hobbled by skyrocketing fuel costs, but they also know that we can be energy independent when we have caring wise leadership again. But most of all, most Americans have complete faith that God will provide.

The old adage is people vote for the leaders they deserve, but the choices seem so inadequate and the government painfully inefficient and ineffective. Therefore, Americans inherently know as always it will be up to them to right the ship of state, so perhaps that explains the pitifully low turnout in recent elections. Americans sadly wonder if it matters. The perennial problem is we have plenty of politicians but too few leaders and statesmen.

Our politics used to be like football. When you win, the victors show magnanimity to the losers; and when you lose, you redouble your efforts to win the next game. Now, each side demonizes the other; they either try to deprive the other of a triumph with malicious smears or grind the other to dust when defeated. Politics has unfortunately become noise for many Americans who simply just tune it out.

The other pernicious problem is the media, too many politicians, and pop culture have become keenly disconnected from mainstream Americans, and worse they are utterly clueless to their distinct detachment from the American people. Leftist celebrities and politicians are apoplectic about the Supreme Court overturning Roe versus Wade, wailing at the infringement on infanticide, and threatening to abandon America. Regrettably, these are hollow threats.

Joe Biden leads the chorus lamenting the nation is moving backwards, but average Americans are actually more sophisticated than all these peddlers of division. They understand the recent Supreme Court ruling does NOT ban abortion, but rather returns its regulation to states. The people in blue states will get more abortions, and the people in red states will severely curb abortion. So, generally the citizens of each state will vote accordingly and get what they want. Only the power-hungry leftists determined to impose their will on all will not get what they want – control. That’s why the abortion protests have already fizzled; the American people have moved on.

Americans have also proven impervious to the abject “woke” nonsense spewed daily in the media and political echo chambers. While leftists everywhere breathlessly bash America for being barbaric (for protecting unborn lives), racist, sexist, and xenophobic, hardworking Americans still know the United States is still the last best hope for freedom.

In their announcement of Independence Day festivities, the City of Orlando incredulously stated: “[a] lot of people probably don’t want to celebrate our nation right now, and we can’t blame them.” After a severe backlash, the statement was retracted. Leftists are not just displaying disappointment but rather outright disdain for the USA. The Pima County Democrats in Arizona billed their event to discuss the failings of the USA as “F*** the Fourth!” Yes, this is the level of loathing we are facing.

Leftists sadly hate the USA; they hate a sovereign people that willingly chooses life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They cannot condone dissent from their utopian fantasy where they determine what’s best for the masses, not the people. They just cannot understand Americans because Americans know their rights come from God and therefore choose to follow the Word of God to preserve freedom.

Despite all the snarky smears of our country and its noble founding by disgruntled leftist celebrities, media, and politicians, average Americans across this great country took to the parades and parks to celebrate the incredible birth of the freest nation on the planet. From Boston to Houston and Seattle to Miami and every city and county in between, Americans enjoyed picnics and fireworks to commemorate the inception of this great experiment in self-government.

Unbothered by the naysayers, Americans know America can still be great as long as the people don’t give up, and they won’t. Forget all the demagoguery and cling to our grand heritage and robust history. God bless the USA, and keep every American in Your will.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12).

Pete Riehm is the host of Common Sense Radio heard 8 pm every Thursday on FMTalk106.5 or streaming at fmtalk1065.com. Email him at peteriehm@bellsouth.net or on MEWE @PeteRiehm or read all his columns at http://www.renewamerica.com/.