Thursday, July 4, 2019

The Land of the Free

But where, say some, is the King of America?  I’ll tell you friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Great Britain.  Yet that we may not appear to be defective even in earthly honors, let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the Charter; let it be brought forth placed on the Divine Law, the Word of God; let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve of monarchy, that in America the law is King.  For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.  But lest any ill use should afterwards arise, let the Crown at the conclusion of the ceremony be demolished, and scattered among the people whose right it is.

A government of our own is our natural right: and when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human affairs, he will become convinced, that it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power, that to trust such an interesting event to time and chance.  If we omit it now, some Massanello may hereafter arise, who, laying hold of popular disquietudes, may collect together the desperate and the discontented, and by assuming to themselves the powers of government, finally sweep away the liberties of the Continent like a deluge.
Thomas Paine

We celebrate today because we fought nearly 250 years ago to establish a system of government where no one was above the law.  Where the law reigned supreme.  Where it was derived from just principles passed on from our Creator.  That all men were created equal.  And while we may still be taking a long time to live up to this principle, it is still a guiding light for our country.  

We created a system designed to frustrate abuses of executive power.  To limit the ability of our leadership to act on their whims and desires. 

We created a system of government to make the act of governing difficult.  So that it would be worth it.  Worked for, and established by hard fought, reasoned debate.  Achieved through compromise.  Designed to reflect the interests of ALL our citizens. And to benefit ALL humanity.  

We often don't live up to this standard.  We often veer far away from the principles that we established from the beginning.  But we seem to always course correct.  Periods of constriction are followed by periods of growth.  Periods of abuse are followed by an uprising of the people.

In that aspect, there is light.  There is hope.  We are the hope.  

We the people.

One nation, indivisible. 

Let us remember and act accordingly.

Happy Independence Day!

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