Welcome to Monday, July 4th, flags and fireworks...

Need a soundtrack for your July 4th BBQ? Causes has you covered like the sunscreen you should be wearing.

In a recent article, we asked:

"Which song best symbolizes America?"

The response was overwhelming.

There were, of course, classics by Bruce Springsteen, Woodie Guthrie, and Marvin Gaye.

But these were joined by RuPaul's "American," Kid Rock's "We The People," and Randy Rainbow's "Pink Glasses."

And you truly took advantage of our "Reply" feature, commenting on suggestions with kudos, lyrics, and "It's complicated."

Check out your Playlist For America and tell us what we missed.

“I’m not going to celebrate Independence Day when half the population isn’t independent.”

This was a quote said by a team member at Causes. For a large swath of the public, it is Twilight in America. And no amount of exploding colors can brighten the horizon.

We modeled Causes after the best of American politics—a representative democracy committed to ensuring that each citizen had an equal voice in which lawmakers were elected and impeached, which laws were enacted and repealed, which corporations boycotted and promoted.

On this Independence Day, we Declare: Our system is broken. Our leaders are inured to this broken system. And “Our hands are tied, there’s nothing we can do” is not The Will of the People. 

We believe in those words written on this date in 1776: that all men are created equal.

But we are not textualists. We believe “men” means “women,” “trans,” “N/A” or however else one may identify in their pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness. We believe “equal” means that every race, ethnicity, and creed – including those with no creed at all – deserve equal representation in Congress and the Courts and the Laws. We believe that “equal” equates to “love=love.” 

Equality means every single American has an equal say in America.

The above are excerpts from an open letter penned by Causes' Editor-in-Chief and its Founder & CEO. Read our full Declaration here.

Shortages & Wildfire Concerns Cancel Some Fireworks

Some Fourth of July fireworks displays have been canceled over staffing and supply shortages, as well as wildfire concerns. 

To compensate, some cities are getting creative. A major fireworks show in Arizona is being replaced by a laser light show, and one in North Lake Tahoe, California, will be replaced by drones. 

Despite some cancellations, Julie L. Heckman, the executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, told NPR:

"Unless you're in a really remote area where that was the only show, most people will be able to find a show nearby.”

Will you be attending a fireworks show this Independence Day?

Fourth Cookout Prices Rise Amid Historic Inflation

Inflation is at the highest level in 40 years and the rising prices are being reflected in a 17% spike in the price of a Fourth of July cookout, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s market basket survey. That’s a bigger increase than the 14% rise in prices that was reflected in the group’s Thanksgiving survey last November. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that inflation was up 8.6% over a 12-month period as of May, the highest level since December 1981, but some food products have seen larger increases beyond the inflationary pressures due to supply chain disruptions and the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on agricultural markets, particularly fertilizer and grain.

Here, we look at price changes for a variety of BBQ staples, including:

• Burgers: 2 pounds of ground beef, $11.12 (+36%)
• Chicken: 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, $8.99 (+33%)
• BBQ Beans: 32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.53 (+33%)
• Lemonade: 2.5 quarts of fresh-squeezed lemonade, $4.43 (+22%)
• Buns: 8 hamburger buns, $1.93 (+16%)

Did you notice higher prices for summer food items?

All the Memes Fit to Post

And, In The End...

—Josh Herman

Talk to us via email at editorial [at] causes.com. And don’t forget to keep in touch @Causes.