Once in awhile, a person reads something that strikes a chord, scares, motivates, or rekindles a passion lost in the hubbub of life. Today, I read that piece.
On July 4th, 1776 (give or take a few days for the drafting, editing, and revising of our Declaration of Independence), a few so-called patriots picked a fight with the most powerful country in the western world. What the hell were they thinking?? They had it good! Modest taxation (give or take a few dollars), a world-class Navy, the best infantry in the world, a solid form of parliamentary government, etc. encompassed the mostly-independent American colonies. What the hell were they thinking?? That something better was out there, more well-suited for the demographic soon to be known world-wide as "America."
Today we grilled, made sure our flags were out, lit sparklers and other "made in China" decorative explosives to celebrate that we have come to know very little about - and have come to appreciate even less - than before.
Our Founding Fathers were willing to give up EVERYTHING to proclaim:
"When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
They were farmers, merchants, clergy, scribes, businessmen, lawyers, teachers, and the like. They were willing to give up their livelihood, their property, in many cases their family and friendships in order to campaign for something bigger.
Today, on our nation's 235th birthday, I wonder if we'd be willing to do the same.
Happy Birthday U.S.A! I hope that in the years to come, your spirit lives on, your people fight for what's right, your dreams come true, and that you live to be very old, wise, and tenacious woman.
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