Tags
4th of July, america, american liberty, Declaration of Independence, Independence Day, patriotism
I was exceedingly disappointed to find that only ten of my two hundred and two Facebook friends mentioned Independence Day yesterday. Three of those individuals were currently serving in the military. I didn’t expect to see everyone write a page long status about our country’s founding, but a short sentence wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July would have sufficed.
Has America completely taken for granted what we have here? We are the longest lasting Constitution in the world for a reason. We are blessed beyond measure; yet, when one finds themselves logging into Facebook on Independence Day, they can’t offer up a small, “Happy 4th of July! Thanks to all the troops fighting for our freedom!”? Is it really too much to expect? Do I stand alone in finding this not only disappointing or embarrassing, but offensive?
In all honesty, I am terribly embarrassed by my list of Facebook “friends” who cannot take ten seconds of their time to comment on the holiday. The moment Justin Bieber smacks one of the paparazzi, the world of Facebook lights up with statuses and comments. The moment someone finds a comical picture, the status is written and the comments begin rolling in. But the one day of the year when we have the opportunity to celebrate the founding of our country, it is Facebook as usual?
Again, I do not expect some lengthy speech with quotes from the Founding Fathers or pictures of the Declaration of Independence as their profile picture; however, if we truly find something to be special, significant, or important, don’t we take note? Do we not comment on our love for someone on their birthday? Do we not reflect on how thankful we are to know that someone on their birthday? Do we not tell them, “happy birthday! I love you!”? Why should it be any different for our country? It is not because of her that we celebrated with grilling, fireworks, beer, entertainment, boating, food, sports, and people yesterday? Is it not because of the brave men and women serving in our military that we were able to freely celebrate? Yet, only ten (seven if you subtract those who are currently serving) of my peers could offer up a remark about Independence Day?
Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset telling our children and our children’s children what is was once like in the United States where men were free.”
The lack of respect, consideration, and regard for Independence Day made me very sad. I fear Americans will end up securing their own fate with this kind of attitude towards our country, its service-members, and our liberties. And you know what? Those who hold this neglectful, uncaring, forgetful, ungrateful attitude, deserve what is coming to them.
There is a plethora of information available to those who desire to know more about current events, elected officials, history, legislation, candidates for office, government procedures, etc. It is not that difficult to get informed. Unfortunately, Americans don’t seem to care. They just won’t give a dang if it isn’t exciting, easy, amusing, scandalous, dramatic, cheerful, or entertaining. “Figuring out who to vote for is just too confusing.” “Politics is boring.” “Talking about it just creates arguments and it’s just annoying.” “I just don’t have the time.” “Oh…that’s why everyone was wearing the ‘I Just Voted’ stickers…” “F*** America!” ‘I hate politics.” ”There’s too much information. I can’t decide.” “I don’t care, it’s not like it actually affects me.” “Politics just gets everyone mad.” “I don’t know, I’ll vote for the best candidate.” “Well, I’ll probably just end up voting for whoever my parents tell me to vote for.” ”Ya, I guess I’ve never really gotten into politics.” ”Anarchy!” “Wait, we’re still in that war?” “Isn’t George Bush still President?” “Elections are when?!” “Ya I like him, I’ll probably end up voting for him!”
I remain confident anyone who is reading this has heard at least one of these excuses. It is unfortunate that Americans are not more interested in who is supposed to be securing our freedoms. That mistake will cost them dearly in the coming months and years.
I end with some relevant quotes:
“[The Declaration] ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”
“He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.” – Thomas Paine
“We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” – Benjamin Franklin
“Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them if we basely entail hereditary bondage on them.” – Thomas Jefferson
“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.” – John Adams
“Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.” –John Adams
“The Declaration of Independence [is the] declaratory charter of our rights, and the rights of man.” – Thomas Jefferson
“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!” – Patrick Henry
“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.” –John Adams
It is sad to think that so many people take America and our freedoms for granted and that is because we are generally not properly educating our children about our founding and our history. This has been done by the left of purpose in my opinion becuase if people don’t understand the founding principles they can be more easily taught that government is here to help us.
Thanks for the comment Steve. I agree that the failure of the education system is much to blame for the current lack of understanding that has plagued most young people. The Communist Goals, as laid out by the 1963 Congressional Records states, “Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers’ associations. Put the party line in textbooks (17) and “Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the “common man’” (24).
This really speaks to the agenda of the Left as well as their unfortunate success in the education system. I didn’t even know who the Founding Fathers were till I reached Freshman year of college. And I went to a Christian university! I never remember reading any of the founding documents in high school. I had to take the initiative myself. I believe it is safe to say that the educational system has largely failed and the Leftist agenda is 80% complete.
Thanks for your input!