Kowabunga

Independence Day is a celebration of American Independence from England, filled with parades, fireworks, outdoor barbeques and many other things. The only thing missing is reflection on our Declaration of Independence itself.

It was on this day, July Fourth, in 1776, that the Continental Congress voted unanimously to adopt the resolution so eloquently written by Thomas Jefferson. It is the cornerstone of our government, and also our way of life.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

Unalienable Rights, among which are "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." A paraphrasing of John Locke's view of "life, liberty, property" for without the right to life and property, you have nothing, without liberty, you are a slave, just as sure as the millions of people who have been exterminated under communism's heel were nothing but slaves of the people who controlled the government. And as is still going on today in such repressive regimes as Cuba, North Korea, China, and Iran.

The price of Liberty is high. The Americans of the Revolutionary period knew this, and proved themselves willing to pay that price in blood as well as money.

Since that time, there have always been those willing to step up to the plate and serve their country with honor and courage, frequently sacrificing life and limb to keep secure our way of life. Whether it was to bring an end to the horrors of Nazism, to stop the spread of communism, or bring liberty to the darkened corners of the globe such as Afghanistan and Iraq, shedding the light of freedom on a people long oppressed by a small and brutal ruling class.

There are those that claim that our system is not perfect. It is, without any doubt in my mind, the best system on Earth.

Where liberty truly shines, there is no need to fear oppression; only the need to stand constant vigil lest those of lesser courage would succumb to the wiles and lies spread by power-mongers that to live forever in bondage is better than the challenge of liberty, and thus lead us all into the darkness of tyranny.

Celebrate with all your heart, and remember what Thomas Jefferson once said: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

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Declaration of Independence
Independence day
Fourth of July
Thomas Jefferson