Happy Independence Day!
Which also happens to fall on the fourth of July
I’ve said many times over that words matter, and today is a good example of why. Most Americans think of today as “The Fourth of July,” a day for picnics and fireworks, family and fun. There is certainly nothing wrong with any of these, but does referring to the holiday that falls today as “The Fourth of July” do a disservice to what the day stands for?
Today, we commemorate with picnics and fireworks, the independence of a country. That independence was bought at the cost of the blood of many men. I’m not saying today we should be specifically memorializing those men, but we should remember what they fought for. They fought for independence from a tyrannical government that was far removed from them. They fought for independence from being overly-burdened by taxes used to support that which did not in any way benefit them. They fought for independence to find their own way, to govern themselves, to enjoy liberty.
If we read the Declaration of Independence, we find that these men declared their independence so that they could enjoy their God-given rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” rights which belong to every man regardless of color or creed, age or ambition, piety or politics. The key among these is liberty, for, without life, there is no liberty, and without liberty, there is no pursuit. So, in 1776, several young, intelligent men, signed a document pledging to one another their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” to fight that each might have liberty.
Today, despite all our celebration, people forget this or are simply ignorant of the history. Many wish government, a government that is far removed from most of us, to coercively force us to think a certain way, to accept ideas that are contrary to the principles upon which this country was founded, to trample underfoot the blood of those who gave their lives for that very liberty they cherished. They seek to use coercion to infringe on others’ liberty. This is why referring to today’s holiday is anathema to perpetuating the memory - today is a day to celebrate independence, liberty, the values for which our founding fathers fought.
Let us remember today as Independence Day, something unique to America’s history, not merely “The Fourth of July,” just another day on the calendar when we take the day off from work. Let us remember the independence for which those men fought over 200 years ago, and the liberty they sought to bestow upon all who inhabit this great land. Let us all take up the fight for the liberty of each and every one, a liberty that respects the rights and liberty of others while seeking to make its own way without coercion. Maybe take some time to read the Declaration of Independence and get a better understanding of what today represents.
I am reminded of a "trick question" I was asked by my grandfather when I was a kid. "Does England have a 4th of July?"
My answer was no. My grandfather told me that "of course they have a 4th of July. They just don't celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY like we do."
"...people forget this or are simply ignorant of the history."
Sadly, the "history" being taught today pushes an idea that our Founding Fathers were EVIL SLAVE OWNING men and should NEVER be celebrated. What they fail to recognize is that if it were not for those "evil" men, they wouldn't be able to say such things. If I'm not mistaken, it is SILL illegal for British people to speak against the crown/government.
I do my best to correct people when they start spouting falsehoods of our Constitution, government and the intentions of the Founding Fathers. Almost 250 years later, a large number of people are clueless as to exactly how things are SUPPOSED to be in our government and society.
Give me liberty or give me... oh never mind, just keep streaming Netflix.
{sigh} Definitely different times. We seem to not care about freedom until we are a *personal* victim of losing freedom.
Keep up the great articles! Keep the flame alive!