10 IMPORTANT PIECES OF AMERICAN HYPOCRISY... I MEAN HISTORY

America was built upon the Deceleration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights; however, just because these papers represent our country, doesn't mean that everyone respects them. Hypocrisy is everywhere in the world and this includes America; this country is a hypocrite for reasons such as religious issues, consumerism, and anything that has to do with politics. Going into specifics, the government creates issues with the Pledge of Allegiance in both the aspects of words and salute. Also, women are one of the targets for this hypocrisy; abortions laws and social norms change dramatically. In the sense of relationship, women being lesbians for a week each year was quite alright prior to the 20th century, but controversy arises following the that time period; in addition, hypocrisy continues to swirl around the current great debate of gay marriage. Consumerism brings both joy and disappointment by telling people they aren't good enough; it's a wonderful message that government has the ability to regulate. Finally, the biggest hypocrites lays in politics with the Japanese internment camps, current immigration issues, and the war America never should have gone into.

1. Whose God is it anyway?

Treaty of Tripoli Quote / Via bibowen.wordpress.com

America was not by any means founded by the Christian religion; it is clearly expressed in the Treaty of Tripoli. In fact, many of our founding fathers were deists. Taking all of this into account, in 1954, the Pledge of Allegiance was amended so that the words "under God" were included. This was a result of the Red Scare (oh no! scary communists!)

2. Choose quickly! Germans or Americans?

Bellamy Salute / Via en.wikipedia.org

Trick question! These salutes are for both countries. Up until the years leading to WWII, American children would recite the Pledge of Allegiance while doing the Bellamy salute. This salute is eerily similar to the "Heil Hitler" in Nazi Germany; the only difference was that Americans had their palms up and Germans had them down. They changed the salute in America to having the right hand over the heart. You can cover an apple with paint, but it's still an apple. Is this still a dictatorship to the flag just in disguise?

3. Not another Hitler reference!

Arizona relocation camp for Japanese-Americans / Via Flickr: pingnews

The holocaust was a tragedy glued to minds of millions. But wait... this picture is in America. This a Japanese internment camp during WWII. Almost identical to the concentration camps in Germany. Kept confined, taken from their families, and came home to ruins. The only difference is that America did not commit genocide. This definitely justifies their actions. And don't forget their initial motive: government feared that Japanese people would attack following Pearl Harbor. Keeping people 'hostage' against their will is always acceptable, except when it isn't the government in control.

4. More than just friends?

Romantic Friends in Hammock / Via en.wikipedia.org

Most people who see this will think that they are lesbians. Some will think that they are just experimenting. And even a few that think they are just close friends. However, they are all technically incorrect. These two women are known as romantic friends. Popular among the 17th-19th centuries, husbands would leave for a week when their wife's 'friend' comes to visit. The rest is kind of implied (wink-wink). This was socially acceptable for centuries in America. In the 20th century, the word 'lesbian' was coined. Homosexuality, such as above, became a horror, a sin, and discrimination was pursued. Apparently America has a tendency to switch their opinions without notice, because they so haven't done that before.

5. Pro-Choice! And then maybe not?

Woman getting an abortion / Via en.wikipedia.org

In the early 19th century, abortions were quite common. About 1/3 women have had at least one abortion. It was very acceptable among doctors and the patients; people had believed that a baby's life started when a woman first feels it kick ("quickening"). Abortions were to take place prior to this point. Now and days, there is a constant debate between pro-life and pro-choice. There are also many more restrictions with the time period that one can get an abortion. Once again, half of America has switched their opinions. What a surprise!

6. Cigarettes are the new health remedy!

1950's CAMEL Cigarettes Ad / Via blondeeducation.blogspot.com

Back in the early 20th century, cigarettes were on the market and advertisements for them increased. Doctors would claim that cigarettes are healthy for people; it is already implied that these doctors were paid off by cigarette companies. These commercials continued for decades. It took until 1971 for the government to step up and ban cigarette commercials. Apparently, false advertising is acceptable in certain cases, but only for a certain amount of years. That sounds awesome!

7. We are all ugly!

Bile Beans / Via hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com

Everyone has insecurities. In the early 20th century, producers had started to prey on these insecurities. They would advertise the newest razors, makeup, and hygiene product. They were basically telling consumers that they weren't good enough as they were. This still continues today. Every little girl wants to be like a Barbie. The newest clothes grab the attention of many. No one ends up being satisfied. At the same time, people are suffering from disorders such as anorexia or commit self-harm because they feel they are not good enough. There are places to help these people who are suffer, but the government only puts a band-aid over the problem. That's alright though... government is too busy doing other things, such as planning another government shutdown. We have to love congress!

8. Marriage is marriage, unless it's not.

Proposition 8 Protest in Sacramento / Via Flickr: doxiehaus

Going from present to future, marriage is a huge issue currently. Same-sex marriage is legal in less than half of the states. People claim it is not traditional in the American standards of a marriage. Just a century ago, interracial marriage would fall under the same category. How are they any different? They were both looked down upon, against the social norm, and both are filled with love. The hypocrisy of the government is crystal clear in this case; African Americans were once treated like dirt, and then were allowed to marry whites. Gay people were treated like dirt as well, but marriage is still in question. Equal rights, right? No.

9. This is for all the hardcore Republicans.

Reclaim America From Der Illegal Immigrants! / Via prosebeforehos.com

Immigration has been going on for ages. There are illegal immigrants arriving on U.S. soil each day. It takes its roots from when the Pilgrims immigrated to America from Europe. They invaded the land where American Indians resided. There were still thousands more that continued arriving that also took over the land. This means that all Americans who do not have American Indian in them are descendants of immigrants. This also means that the hardcore Republicans that advocate against immigration are hypocrites. They have no right to make such a decision when they, by blood, are immigrants as well. Despite all this hypocrisy going on, Native Americans have unfortunately gotten the short end of the stick. They were forced to move westward and on several occasions, were victims of massacre. It's funny how politicians fail to mention this hypocrisy; but then again, they do that with everything that makes them look bad. Is it surprising? No.

10. And now for the president of hypocrisy, George W. Bush! (literally)

"America's Greatest Failure" / Via en.wikipedia.org

George W. Bush was quite a man, but not always the admirable kind. The focus is going to be on the War in Iraq from the early 2000's. Bush had sent troops into Iraq following the 9/11 attack (No need to explain). Mr. Commander and Chief had the idea that Iraq had chemical weapons on hand and were ready to attack. Not surprisingly, no chemical weapons had been found; however, the American troops had 6,000 nuclear weapons and did use them in Iraq. And that's not at all hypocritical! There's more... the Iraqis were using "dirty" tactics, in which they fight in civilian clothes rather than uniforms. The U.S. has no right to say anything about this tactic because they have done it themselves. During the Revolutionary War, American troops fought out of uniform and hid behind trees and stones. America 'invented' this tactic. Yet, no one has the guts to call out the hypocrisy. George W. Bush is still seen as the 9/11 president, but that's just one event in his two terms of office. Thank you to the president of hypocrisy!