(IntegrityTimes.com) – In the world of social media, it has become common for public figures, including elected officials, to post acknowledgement of holidays and national events.
On Monday May 27, two progressive Democrat Representatives used the social media platform X to comment on Memorial Day. However, they both misunderstood the holiday and tweeted about veterans. Veterans are living people who served in the military and are celebrated on Veteran’s Day which was on November 11. Memorial Day is a more somber holiday honoring those who have died while serving in the U.S. military services.
Minnesota Democrat Representative Ilhan Omar and Missouri Democrat Representative Cori Bush are both members of the informal progressive group of U.S. Representatives known as “the Squad”. The group is made up of about nine Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives. They are all 50 or younger and are known for being the most progressive and far left members of the United States Congress. Amid complaints and derision from conservative commenters online, Omar and Bush both removed their erroneous posts on X and later posted more accurate statements about Memorial Day.
In the original posts, both Representatives used the holiday to advocate for universal healthcare and more government assistance. Some Americans consider the Squad to be a clique for socialists within the Democrat party. Bush is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and Omar has been endorsed by them. While some Americans now support socialist reform, many still consider such polices to be authoritarian and anti-American. Open celebration of America’s veterans and those who have died while in service to the country is sometimes considered nationalist and inherently conservative by many progressives.
The sharp backlash against Omar and Bush may have been partially inspired by many seeing their mistake as disrespectful ignorance unbecoming of elected officials. Rather than seeing it as a simple mistake, many seem to believe they are so interested in changing America that they have no interest in learning about it. National holidays of remembrance, celebration and mourning have long been a way to unify people across political spectrums around the world. Military service is integral to preserving and protecting any country, and those who have suffered, died or lost a loved one in service deserve recognition and gratitude for their sacrifice.
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