I’ve just read that a number of “tea party” protests have been planned for the 4th of July. I have all the respect in the world for people who feel strongly enough to protest over their belief that they are overtaxed.

However, there are two points that I wanted to bring up. One, surely many of you (all?) are Republicans. I’m sure you’re going to be calling the President many names. I just want to remind you that he has not raised anyone’s taxes. In fact he cut them.

Secondly, you’re protesting the democratically-elected government for taxation. Under the guise of a “Tea Party” which protested “taxation without representation” in 1773 when the King of England levied taxes on tea in the British colonies of America.

Am I the only one who sees irony in that?

OK - bonus third point… I wish they wouldn’t bring politics into a non-partisan patriotic holiday. I like thinking “we’re all Americans, despite our differences” on the 4th of July. These protests definitely soil that.