Independence Day

Here we are, Indenpendence Day 2005, and so many people are out camping, grilling and visiting. There will be the ritualistic fireworks displays that most everyone will attend, mostly because we have always done it that way.

Rarely will people truly reflect in any manner what this day is really about.

We should know the history, the Declaration of Independence was signed on this day at great risk to those who signed. Many of those who did sign met the exact fate that they expected: execution or death in battle. They did so with great sacrifice to their own personal stature, wealth, life and property. They risked their families and their futures. For what? To be free, self-determinent and self-governing.

There is much written about how the country was shaped in those early years. It was a great experiment, our government was. But it works. There is a peaceful transition of power with the losing side maybe howling, but not causing riots and violence as in many other nations throughout history.

A shift in power and philosophical guidance is easy. Usually the new minority party understands its new role. I say usually because over the past 6 years that has not been the case...but that is for another discussion.

By 1980 Americans were no longer proud to be so. As our President at the time, Jimmy Carter, lead us to believe, the "best days of America [had] passed". In 1980 and again in 1984 Ronald Reagan won in landslides not seen before or since. It was not because of his conservative views. It was not because of his supply-side economics plan. It was not because he was "an outsider".

Ronald Reagan won because he made us all proud again to be Americans. We began to fly the American flag proudly, we actually rooted for "USA" at the Olympics. Reagan led us to believe that the best is yet to come. We were unified behind him because we were Americans and he made us feel good.

So, this Independence Day we need to reflect on why it is best to be an American. Revive jingoism to a healthy level. WE ARE DOING THINGS RIGHT. There is a reason that so many citizens of nearly every other country wants to be an American.

We have the right to vote. We have the right to protest the government. We have the right to revolt against an unjust government. We have the right to remain silent and then to have a jury of citizens. We have the right to ask for a warrant before the government can intrude in our homes. We have the right to appeal to a higher court. We have the right to write...as long as it is not false (unless it is satire). We have the right to move from one state/province/township to another. We have the right to travel at will within this country.

There are many countries that do not share each of those rights. Yet we do.

This country gives away education, gives loans for students to attend higher education and gives the schools tax breaks to make it easier for them to achieve their goals. This country is among the leaders in technology, corporate development, space exploration, Earth exploration, military training and technology and philosophical thought.

We are the center of fashion, food and entertainment. We have the best athletic organizations, the best movie studios and the best in television broadcasting.

Our language is now the international language (OK, I concede English is of England, but it is because of our influence that it is the international language).

We do things bigger, better and faster. If we are not the best we want to be the best.

Contrary to what our enemies say, we carry the banner for human rights. We balance rights with responsibilities very well. We honor freedom over government.

Yes, there are exceptions and lapses. There are the rouges that do not follow the model. But 100% of our Presidents had the interests of our country ahead of the interests of other countries...as it should be. Now some of them have their personal interests ahead of our country, but each President lived for the United States of America.

While we bicker, bitch and moan about "the other side of the aisle" we need to spend this holiday to remember that at least we live in a country where we are allowed to bicker, bitch and moan. In Sadaam's Iraq, the Soviet Union, North Korea, Iran, Syria or Castro's Cuba you do not have the allowance to bitch at the government or the faction in power.

The list goes on and on detailing why America is the greatest place in the world. I could go on for much, much longer explaining why it is best to be an American than any other nationality. But that is the job of all of us to do on Independence Day.

Happy Independence Day and long live the Red, White & Blue. America is all of that and if anyone doubts that let them find a better place. They will be back here eventualy. Because the truth is, there is no place better than the Good Ol' U.S. of A.