As you enjoy the holiday in whatever way you've chosen - be it with family and friends at picnics, community celebrations, or backyard barbecues... or quietly at home alone doing whatever "floats your boat", take a moment to say a silent thank you for the freedoms that give you the right to make that choice. And never, not for a single moment, forget that with all of the freedoms and rights that you enjoy as an American - comes responsibility.
Freedom does not come without a cost, nor does the achievement of any goal, large or small. Our Declaration of Independence clearly states... "WE THE PEOPLE of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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". Not the government, but WE THE PEOPLE. Whether through naivete, ignorance, or simple apathy, why do so many of us feel like we can now just sit back and enjoy what so many people fought so hard to attain for us?
Throughout our nation's history, our elected leaders have had the duty to lead a government "of the people, by the people, for the people..." Sometimes I get the sense that many Americans have forgotten that. We have been blessed with infinite possibilities and freedoms that are coveted by so many less free, less fortunate nations around the world, yet somehow it seems that many Americans feel entitled to so much more without having to give anything in return. We need to quit putting all the blame on the shoulders of those men and women who hold the public offices to which we have elected them, and start assigning the responsibility to the people who are ultimately responsible... WE, THE PEOPLE...and start doing whatever we can to achieve those goals that our founding fathers set forth so long ago.
Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday to the United States of America! I hope you enjoy this video - it's a favorite of mine :)
1 comment:
I agree completely. Everyone thinks of the fireworks, the parties, and the days off of work. It's good to take a minute and think about all the sacrifices that got us where we are.
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