On this most historic of days

Today, we celebrate the declared independence of the united states from British rule... in effect the founding of a new nation from of a set of British colonies. In open rebellion against their own legitimate government, a small band of influential representatives, put their lives and futures on the line, declaring that men deserve to live free of oppressive government. It was an event of dramatic importance, not just there and then, but around the globe and in the history of mankind. We were, that day, given a glorious beginning, followed by a near-impossible but victorious defense against the most powerful empire on earth.

That unlikely victory was followed by the laborious establishment of a new constitutional republic, the United States of America, with a hard-fought drafting of a grand Constitution designed to secure a government that guaranteed the rights of individuals from abuse by any government, especially the new one being established.

That was the heritage our ancestors left for future generations... the best fresh start ever afforded humans... a nation with a small, limited government, constrained as part of its own establishment. Those who fought so hard to provide naturally free men with the best chance possible hoped that this nation would ever remain so.

Although it is right that we celebrate the beginning of our nation, we should do it with heads hung low, in solemn shame at how we have allowed that birthright to be corrupted to the extent that we are now far closer to being slaves to our government than the colonists ever were to Great Britain.

We have allowed power-seekers to dominate our government, driving out the few who try to return us to the nation envisioned by our ancestors. Today, all over this nation, celebrations will include those same power-hungry politicians, proclaiming how only they can save us from our fears and difficulties. They will beseech us to willingly, even enthusiastically, surrender ourselves to their grand plans, so they can stop all the bogeymen.

Americans have fallen so easily for such repetitive bullshit, using far less skepticism and common sense than we exercise when buying a cheeseburger. We will, astonishingly and for the flimsiest of excuses, cheer and applaud those who smile and knowingly drive our nation further from that dream of July 4th, 1776. Many will stand in awe of our destroyers, waiting in line to shake the hands of the slick political elites whose intent is nothing more than building power and directing more of our money into their pockets.

When the political big-party candidates appear in your local parade, or make elaborate speeches on this historic day, trying to associate themselves with the grandeur of the formation of our nation... remind yourself that what those politicians seek is precisely what our ancestors fought to eliminate from the future.

Cheer them? We should instead be throwing tomatoes at them, or worse.