Independence Day

Signing of The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America
Charles Édouard Armand-Dumaresq

From that Declaration...

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, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

We are all created equal, what we do with that equality is up to us. Not the government, not some benevolent (or otherwise) institution. We should all stand (or fall) on our own merits.

We have been endowed with certain unalienable Rights by our Creator. If you do not believe that such is the case, what purpose is there to your life?

Life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Not the guarantee of Happiness mind you. That piece of the pie is up to you. As far as life and liberty, you live in the greatest country there is, you have those by right, use them in the pursuit of that aforementioned happiness.

Governments should derive their powers from the consent of the governed. Government exists for us, not for itself. The government is there to protect our rights, not to decide what those rights are.

When we have elections that is when we, the People, alter or abolish the government in place. Not the format nor institutions of that government but the people who twist those institutions to their own wicked designs. Only one revolution brought forth a new nation, under God, where the rights of humanity would be enshrined and protected. Yes, we are flawed, we are, after all, only human. But that doesn't mean we give up.

Right now in this country, there are evil forces at work (do not kid yourself for even a minute, they are evil) who seek to destroy the institutions established by the Founders. Why they do this, I don't know. But they are evil and despicable.

I don't care who (or what) you worship. Who you worship is between you and your God.

I don't care what country your ancestors came from. Your ancestors left those places for a reason.

I don't care what the color of your skin is. We all need to eat, breathe and love. If you judge a man by his skin color, you are anathema to me. Judge by character and actions, not color.

I don't particularly care who you sleep with. It's not my business, please keep it out of the headlines and out of my face.

On this day, 239 years ago the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. Since that day, thousands of Americans of all creeds, beliefs and colors have died for that ideal. Even today young American men and women stand against one of the greatest threats to freedom ever seen.

They are Asian, they are black, they are white, they are Hispanic, they are Native American, they are men, they are women, they are conservative, they are liberal, they are Christian, they are Jewish, they are Muslim, they sleep with whom they choose. They are Americans and I thank God for them.

On this day, let us stand together, as Americans and fight against any tyranny which would trample upon our rights and freedoms.

I will never give up on this country. It is my country.

It is our country.