I saw a video the other day of Americans being asked what the 4th of July means to them and it was stunning to see how many didn’t know why we celebrate it, nor that it’s actually called Independence Day. Depressing, I know!
America has its flaws as all countries do, but its founding principles of citizen rule and system of government for and by the people was a historical first and was what made and still makes the country great and a positive influence around the world.
The only way this greatness continues is if we stay informed of the wisdom our Founding Fathers preached and pass those lessons down to future generations. Freedom cannot and will not be protected if it is not valued and certainly it will not be fought for if citizens are oblivious to its importance in the founding of our country.
A good article on this written by a former Brit now living as a U.S. citizen can be found here.
Happy Birthday America, may God continue to bless you and your people!
Freedom Through Empowerment 
Citizens rule? For and by the people? You may have Lincoln misidentified as one of the founders
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I was not referencing Lincoln but the founders vision of government by self rule and not a monarchy. Abe Linclon was 17 when the last of the founders, Thomas Jefferson, died but it’s been said Thomas Paine had the most influence on his thinking. No doubt the man’s core values, many taken from the founders vision, influenced generations to come.
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Happy Independence Day, my friend. 🙂 Celebrate safely and wisely.
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And same to you as well my friend! 🙂
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Happy 4th Tricia!
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Thanks Wally, Happy 4th to you as well! 🙂
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About to get real happy, as ribs are almost done!
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I had ribs too! God bless America, eh Wally? 😉
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Indeed Tricia.
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It is unfortunate, but videos of Americans being asked about anything tend to be cringe-worthy. One that I saw recently asked California beach-goers which person the nation’s capital was named after. Most (at least, most on the video) didn’t know, and many did not know what the nation’s capital was called. One couple immediately got it right; they were visiting from Italy.
A few tentatively offered “Washington,” often after prompting and guidance by the questioner. But even so, some of them did not know Washington’s first name, or what he did.
Nevertheless, the concepts behind the creation of our country were profound, “KIA”‘s objections notwithstanding. If we can get our elected officials (and our much larger unelected bureaucratic machine) to work closer to these principles, we have a bright future still. And perhaps a brighter populace as well.
I posted my Independence Journey today, along with a little screed on the Pursuit of Happiness. It’s not a treat that is handed out, it is a protected right that must be exercised with some skill. You have that skill, and I wish you and yours the happiest, safest, and most thoughtful Independence Day.
===|==============/ Keith DeHavelle
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Oh that is so completely cringe worthy Keith to hear people not even knowing who Washington was, ouch! Figures the foreigners were right on it. I’ve frequently found thst those from other countries have a much stronger appreciation of our country’s greatness, its history and the freedoms we have.
I agree too that the future can be bright and I am optimisitic about the passions I am seeing ignited, in some quarters, in getting this country back on track with the founders’ vision and in schooling others on the importance of liberty.
Thanks for the link to your post, I am sure it’s enlightening and well written as always and will be sure to check it out.
I wish you and yours a happy and safe Independence Day as well Keith!
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Keith, I just read your link and tried to respond but was sent straight to spam. I couldn’t see anywhere to leave my name so maybe that is why…Good post thought!
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Reblogged this on Citizen Tom and commented:
Here Tricia links to an article written, ironically, by a native Brit. Now an American citizen the author reminds of the need to teach our children why Independence Day is so worthy of celebration.
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Thank you tom for the reblog.
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