Happy Independence Day, fellow Americans. Happy Birthday, America. Two hundred forty-seven years ago today, the Declaration of Independence was signed, officially notifying England that they American colonies no longer considered themselves part of the "motherland." We know now what that brought down on the people in these thirteen colonies. It brought war against the most powerful nation on earth. That was quite a commitment for this overseas settlement that didn't even have an army.
I wonder what our founders, those who signed that document would say about the United States of America today.
Many people on both sides of the political spectrum are disappointed in the country we have become, each for their own reason. However, if we can put the political hatred aside for a moment, our republic has stood pretty well through really difficult times. A great Civil War. World War I, Pearl Harbor/World War II, Viet Nam, the volitile reclaiming of civil rights for women, African Americans and others that have been treated as under-citizens. In our memory, the cold war, 9-11 and the wars that resulted from it.
Up until now, our Constitution and the republic it established has demonstrated remarkable resilience. We are blessed by that fact. Yes, today we are going through more crises. A crimewave that our citizens would never have expected in this day and age. The fundamental elements of humanity itself are being challenged in ways few people understand. I'll bet that 53 years from today, those who are here will still be blessed, if our form of government remains in place. There will still be stress and disagreement, though regarding topics we would never guess today. It won't be perfect. We never have been perfect and we aren't now. But our form of government will be effective, if it is allowed to stand. That, my friends is up to us. I'm committed to that, how about you?
Comments