Today, Americans celebrate the 241st Anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence.
That noble document would both summarize the reasons and defend the decision of the Colonies of the British Empire to formally separate and withdraw their allegiance from the Sovereignty of the King and declare the establishment of a new governing authority: self-governance by the citizenry of the land.
The foolishness with which the Crown of England had chosen to administer and govern the American colonists will go down in the annals of history as among the most colossal of political blunders any government could commit.
The oppressive taxation, the arbitrary confiscation of property and means of livelihood, the imposition of restrictive ordinances, the conscription of colonists for military service, all these deprivations of freedom and the advancement of commerce placed the colonist in an untenable situation from which they sought relief by the boldest of political decisions: separation from the King, a blatant act of treason punishable by death.
Today, almost two and a half centuries later, we Americans remain the standard bearers of liberty and freedom.
And yet, truth be told, America has become a land marked by a permissiveness and licentiousness threatening the very freedoms which inspired the historic declaration of independence giving birth to our nation.
Liberty, freedom unchecked by what is right, honest, decent and good can become the most destructive of forces.
Laws are just when they provide for the common good, not the gratification of the selfish or irresponsible.
Yet, that is exactly what seems to have happened in our country.
A tyranny of a minority of irresponsible, politically expedient, morally perverse dissidents has been allowed by the majority of Americans to hold sway over the political conversation and decisions of recent decades.
On this July 4th, America finds itself struggling to recapture the values which once inspired our nation to achieve its greatness.
There are many voices which oppose this effort to recapture the stature and the dignity of the country which has been the beacon of hope for so many who long to be free.
May honesty, decency and righteousness prove equal to the task which defending the principles of successful governance will require.
May God bless America on this July 4th. And may we prove ourselves to be worthy and deserving of that blessing always.
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