For our nation’s 250th, why not the best? | Steve Collins
As the Nation Marks Its Semiquincentennial, White House MMA Events Contrast With Bicentennial Traditions
The United States is currently observing its 250th anniversary, an occasion that has brought about a dramatically different style of national celebration compared to the country's bicentennial fifty years ago.
During the 1976 bicentennial, the nation marked its 200th birthday with widespread displays of patriotism. Ports across the country welcomed tall ships, while the Freedom Train toured the nation hauling historic documents. In countless towns, residents painted fire hydrants red, white, and blue. This era followed a turbulent decade defined by riots, protests, war, and the Watergate scandal, and the unifying patriotic events provided a welcome sense of national solidarity.
Presidential politics also anchored the 1976 celebrations. Candidate Jimmy Carter campaigned under the motto, "Why not the best?" He maintained a belief that the federal government could be as effective as its citizens. Meanwhile, sitting President Gerald Ford delivered modest speeches hailing the American experience, which were widely noted for their delivery with a sense of honor and humility.
Fast forward to the current semiquincentennial, and the setting for national celebrations has shifted significantly. President Donald Trump has altered the historic grounds of the White House, ripping up the Rose Garden and tearing down the East Wing. Much of the historic property is now covered by a massive, claw-like stage built for mixed martial arts battles.
The presence of ultimate fighters at the White House has drawn historical parallels to the sport's controversial past. In 1996, former Sen. John McCain referred to the sport as "human cockfighting," a description that helped him secure bans on the activity in 36 states. Now, three decades later, ultimate fighters are taking center stage at the White House for the nation's birthday.
Rather than dismantling the combat cage, the president has compared the structure to the Eiffel Tower and declared he may "never, ever take it down."
The contrast between the two eras highlights a broader shift in the national landscape. While the 1976 celebrations emphasized unity and idealism, current observers point to a period characterized by significant wealth disparity and economic anxiety. Today, many citizens face concerns over fuel and medical costs, while a wealthy elite enjoys immense prosperity. Analysts note that frustrations regarding these economic realities have sometimes been directed at marginalized communities rather than toward systemic policy decisions that favor the wealthy.
As the country reflects on its semiquincentennial, the foundational question posed decades ago remains: "Why not the best?"
