Independence Day

I awakened this morning and read the Declaration of Independence. I then took quotes from it and set them down to analyze how we see our country in regard to this document, 233 years later. I sent an initial draft of my thoughts to my son, who said it sounded like something that could have been penned by the Unabomber.

I don't mean this to be so harsh. I merely ask if we have done a good job handling the task our forefathers set before us. I know we are trying, but are we succeeding?

We are in the beginning stages of an administration that is struggling to gain its footing. It's best efforts, to correct the ills it sees, have been impeded by those whose only goals appear to be obstructionist in nature, dedicated not to the greater good but to protection of their own interests.

So many of the concerns raised in 1776 about Great Britain have seeming application to certain members of our own ruling body in present times. Take a look:




"We hold these truths to be self-evident:

Governments... derive their just power from the consent of the governed... Whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter (it). To prove this,let (these) facts be submitted to a candid world.

(They) have:

1) refused assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good
2) (refused) to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance
3) refused to pass other laws for the accomodation of large groups of people
4) endeavored to prevent the population of these states for that purpose (of) obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners, refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither
5) obstruct(ed) the administration of justice
6) plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns
7) transport(ed) large armies... to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny , already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of ... a civilized nation."


We want and deserve a ruling body that is dedicated to addressing the welfare of its people and taking actions necessary to secure our health, happiness and well being. The framers of the Declaration of Independence knew that then, and we hold those truths to be self-evident today.

I ask that our leaders take a moment on the anniversary of our day of freedom not only to read the words but fully understand their implication. Let us be able to hand the Declaration of Independence to future generations with the knowledge that the mandates given to us have been met to the best of our ability. Let the laundry list of grievances penned in 1776 have no application from this day forward.