"Murica"

This is a little bit awkward... I missed blogging on July 4th.  And now it is the 11th.  So it has been long enough that people are starting to forget there was just a holiday and they are already marking their calendars to count the days until the next one.  But, I want to write a blog about America.  Well no.  Not America.  I want to write about this whole "Murica" phenomenon.  I know, I know, July 4th has come and gone.  But today lets just pretend like it is July 4th again so I can write this blog and not feel like a failure for writing it seven days late.  Thank you.  Ok so Murica.  Not to be confused with the United States of America which is "a federal republic consisting of fifty states and a federal district."  I'm talking about Murica, the overly disgusting image we create of America as cut off shirts, short shorts and american flag trucker hats.  Have you noticed this?  I find it most at tailgates and large sporting events.  Basically anywhere there is a lot of beer drinking going on.  People who you would normally see prancing around in khaki shorts and a pastel colored polo suddenly are breaking out the cowboy boots they probably bought for $300 at Urban Outfitters and wearing an American flag as a cape.  For lack of a better word, they try to make themselves look like rednecks.  (I like to refer to these people as Reds.  Because they aren't actually rednecks they just try to be.)   Why?  What is this phenomenon?  Why do people who normally don't walk around declaring their love for their country suddenly feel the need to chant "U. S. A., U. S. A." the moment they start drinking beer?  I honestly just don't understand.  Maybe I am missing out.  Maybe it is super fun and I just don't know it.  I guess for me, I just don't feel like parading around, playing into the stereotypes that people already have about Americans.  Don't get me wrong, I love living in the United States and I am proud of where I come from.  And I do like to be goofy and have fun.  But I think when the next tailgate comes around, I will just stick to my regular jean shorts and a t-shirt.  Maybe I will throw in one U.S.A. chant, just for kicks!   But probably not...