As Americans, we fall into a group that is both widely varied and deep. With all of our frustrations at the state of our country today, there are some basic things that make our country great that remind me our country will recover.
With this is mind, a few remarks to hopefully frame your Independence Day and give you a "shot in the arm" of hopefulness for the future of our country.
America is
Founded on the principles of our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
From the Declaration:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
From the Constitution:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
We The People are farmers, soldiers, union members, stay-at-home parents, salespeople, and CEO's
We The People are the poor, middle-class and rich
We The People are Democrats, Republicans and Independents
We The People are patriots
We The People are parents, children, friends and family of those fallen in war
We The People are NOT:
Bugs beneath the feet of a dictator and their regime
Pushovers for corporate tyrants
Willing to allow our country to become further anti-citizen, scandal-ridden, and corrupt
Willing to allow the victims of Katrina to be forgotten
Willing to allow our world's future to be wasted away
Willing to allow our vote to be stolen or dilluted
Just a reminder of what we're all about. We get a little crazy and rabid sometimes in our frustration with the state of our country. Remind yourself: We'll make it out of this.
As you enjoy your friends and family today at BBQ's, the movies, and the fireworks, sign up to help your local Democrat's efforts in the 2006 election.
Declare your Independence!