“I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” Thomas Jefferson
A reflection of freedom, rights & responsibility on 4th of July
Our great country was founded by Patriots, everyday human beings with dreams and aspirations. Together with the like-minded colonists of English America, they fought for individual freedoms, right to freedom of speech and religion, right to own their own property and the fruits of their labor. Truly inspired, they founded this great Republic with two great documents: The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.
“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” ― Thomas Jefferson
From that first great struggle for Independence, through the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Indian Wars, and all other wars America has grown. The country has made mistakes, but in the process still stands as the best government ever created, a government based on “We the people”. To preserve “We the People” and to prevent another takeover by a dictatorial, socialistic, communistic, or other totalitarian government, the founders wisely created 3 branches of government and a free press. Bureaucracies are not elected and are not supposed to have the power. If we give our power away, or our elected officials do, we will lose this democratic Republic. We will have given away our freedoms.
“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” -George Washington
Our history, with all its glory, mistakes, and bruises, is important. Take the responsibility of teaching it to our children and grandchildren, or they will not know what they are giving away. They will not understand the sacrifice that has gone into this America – surviving for over 200 years as a free society of patriotic Americans who honor the sacrifices made for this great gift of freedom and opportunity. If they are not taught the history of America and of other systems of government, they will not understand how precious our freedoms are. Explain why the meaning of 4th of July goes beyond seeing fireworks.
“A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?” ― George Washington
The Fourth of July is our day of remembrance. Remember the true meaning of 4th of July. It’s a time of honoring those who came before and those soldiers and patriots that continue to struggle to keep this great Republic for “We the People.”
Every year and each day, strive to respect and honor our Republic of America, our flag, and be grateful for the opportunities we are responsible for safeguarding. Happy 4th of July.
“In politics as in philosophy, my tenets are few and simple. The leading one of which, and indeed that which embraces most others, is to be honest and just ourselves and to exact it from others, meddling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved. If this maxim was generally adopted, wars would cease and our swords would soon be converted into reap hooks and our harvests be more peaceful, abundant, and happy.” ― George Washington
