A DECLARATION

an erasure poem

The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.

• - Theodore Roosevelt

Fellow Countrymen,

Y’all keeping cool enough? I’ve drenched in those Cymbalta sweats but thankful for the many ceiling fans in my home.

I love this country more than MAGA. I love it enough to keep fighting.

At this treacherous point of our history, it felt appropriate to rewrite the Declaration of Independence.

Here’s the original broadside, which by the way is riddled with errors. Note the many f’s where s’s should be.

Here’s my take, with a deliberate nod to my redditlacqueristas and their cheeky algae nails.

July 4, 2026 A DECLARATION

When / Government becomes destructive / it is Right / to abolish it and institute new / foundation /

Tyranny / has / dissolved / the rights of the people /
has erected / swarms / to harass our people /
to / subject us to / Murders which they / commit on the Inhabitants of these States /

abolishing / the free / and waging war against us/
our seas / our coasts / our towns / our people / 

barbarous / and / unworthy /

in the most humble terms: / a Tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people /
we must therefore / by the authority of good / and / peace / 
support this declaration / 

we mutually pledge to each other our Lives

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It’s not just right to stand up to this government, it’s our duty.

There’s a movement growing before our eyes. As I learned from Mr. Cothren’s 5th grade physics lessons that every action has and equal but opposite reaction. May this disgusting backwardsing bloom into a new world, one in which the government works for us, one in which all people actually have the same access to life, liberty, and happiness regardless of class, race, religion, gender, sexuality, ability.

After this weekend, I’m hoping to put together a primer on Democratic Socialism. What is it? Who are the major players right now? What texts can I turn to? Why is the establishment so afraid of this movement? Do I need to stop shaving my armpits if I join up? If you have any good, helpful tips to add this little project, please let me know!

Drink so much water, friends. Don’t drink and drive. Be safe. Be compassionate. Be bold. Say hi to your neighbors. Kiss the people you love.

I love you,

EBG