Flag Controversies – Enter The Besty Ross Flag – Happy 4th of July!
Saturday, July 04, 2015 by Jonathan R. Gibbons in
The problem with the Confederate flag is that, while it obviously possesses a variety of meanings for different groups and individuals, as a whole, American society has come to view the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism and support for the South’s position favoring the continuation of slavery. Additionally, the Confederate flag is also a symbol of southern heritage, a memorial for southern Americans– the overwhelming majority who were not slave owners –that died in the Civil War, and also a symbol of our American system of government which recognizes a division of power between the federal and state governments. This is why I love the Betsy Ross flag.
The Betsy Ross flag has thirteen stars representing the original thirteen States. Of course the stripes represent the colonies as well, but they tend to symbolize the lost blood and souls of fallen soldiers as well, whereas the stars represent the state governments. Here are three reasons why the Betsy Ross flag is superior to the current American flag:
1. It’s historical, nostalgic, and representative of the core system of government that makes up America: A Constitutional Democratic Republic Federation. It shows greater respect for State autonomy and the original intention of the American Framers.
2. Too many stars decrease the significance of the States and they simply mesh together. This is, ironically, symbolic of the decline of American federalism which has been deconstructing the beauty of the American system of government. This is why having thirteen stars is better. It reemphasizes the importance of America as being not the United STATE of America, but rather the United STATES of America. Okay maybe reason 1 and 2 are the same.
3. What happens if there are ever 87 stars? That will just look cluttered and ugly.
The Betsy Ross flag is superior to both the current American flag and the controversial Confederate flag. Fly it next to the Gadsden (Yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” Snake) flag and that’s some patriotic badassery right there!
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