Independence Day 2012

The significance of this day, July 4^th, is not lost on many of us.

The Founders of this great nation sacrificed everything in the cause of liberty.  Many affixed their signature to the Declaration of Independence on this day in 1776, knowing that they may as well have been signing their death warrant; as King George would most certainly wage war to keep the colonies within the British Empire.  And he did.

Within that courageous document is the very simple idea that all men have “certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and happiness…”

Liberty is the most precious of these, for without it, the other two are that much more difficult to realize.  It is this most high idea that caused the great patriot, Patrick Henry to utter these words:

“Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?  Forbid it, Almighty God.  I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”

With each passing day our precious liberties are eroding as the iron fist of government continues to encroach upon our ability to lead our lives in our own way and achieve happiness.

Contained within the Declaration of Independence is a list of grievances against King George.  One of them is:

“He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.”

Sound familiar?  Does history repeat itself?

Consider the vast amount of regulation promulgated by the current administration to thwart enterprise, diminish human labor, and destroy human capital.  Think the XL pipeline, an overzealous EPA, an ineffective interior department, and a failed Department of Education.  All of the bureaucratic control monsters and the back office paper-pushers have done their utmost to destroy the economic process.

Now a recent study paid for by the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) has asserted that we Americans that are “suspicious of centralized federal authority” and   “reverent of individual liberty” can be considered as extreme right wing terrorists.

Where is the liberty?

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Courage is lost through disuse”.

On this glorious day, as we celebrate our Nation’s birth, we must find the courage to encourage the blessings of liberty right up through Election Day, November 6, 2012.

We must all give of our time to advance the cause of Liberty.  First, engage in the political process by supporting those who further its development.  Second, be charitable in our work and through our deeds by helping those in need, not abdicating this responsibility to government bureaucrats. Finally, educate others by spreading the value of liberty.

For if we do all of these things our nation will be more secure and life and happiness will be that much more assured.