July 4: Freedom Matters
To the Editor:
July 4th is a very special holiday to American patriots.
The Declaration of Independence remains a great historical landmark. It contained the first formal assertion by a whole people of their right to a government of their own choice.
The Declaration of Independence was approved by the unanimous vote of Continental Congress (the first governing body of what would become the United States). 13 British colonies sent representatives to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from Sept. 5 to Oct. 26, 1774 in response to the British enactment of the Coercive Acts (also known as the Intolerable Acts) and the British Navy blockade of Boston Harbor.
The declaration explained why the colonies had resolved, “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States.”
The second paragraph is especially significant and I quote, “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 rights 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.”
Americans throughout the 13 colonies united in opposition to a system of imperial taxation initiated by the British government in 1765. The colonies petitions for redress of several oppressive actions by the King of Great Britain were answered by repeated injury.
As I reread the “long train of abuses,” (“facts submitted to a candid world”) regarding the King’s tyrannical authority over the colonies, many “injuries” seemed familiar to current times.
Every citizen has an obligation to themselves and their country to preserve their unalienable rights. How? By exercising obedience to the Constitution of the U.S. and choosing responsible, qualified representatives for government service when given the opportunity. To neglect awareness of who is running for any office that represents your district or make excuses for not knowing who to vote for or refusing to vote demonstrates ignorance for preserving freedom that many honorable citizens have died for.
This July 4th I encourage you to read the Declaration of Independence, consider the values of our Constitution, consider the many men and women who have put their lives on the line for policies that promote freedom here and abroad, and consider the blessings we have being citizens of the U.S.
Freedom isn’t free. Don’t be distracted or manipulated by fear tactics or lies.
Freedom requires a committed mindset to values of life, respecting volition, marriage, and family as they were designed: respecting equal opportunity to fail and/or succeed, obedience to law, selfdiscipline, self-control, and faith.
To remain free America requires diligence of citizens to objectively participate in fulfilling their civic responsibilities while the opportunity exists.