Independence Day

On this day, take time to remember that we are a country founded on an idea. An idea rooted in the notion of liberty, self determination, and a recognition of rights that are innate, not given to us by any king, queen, or government. We the People have striven towards the realization of this idea for 242 years. The struggle is real and worth it.

When our military swears an oath, they swear to protect the Constitution, not a person or government, from all enemies, foreign and domestic. What matters most is that idea.

For those wishing to loathe about the ills of our country and those who founded it, have at it. It is your right. It is important to know all of our history, however,

Hanging on to the past is like carrying luggage-it can get heavy and sooner or later, it might not be such a bad idea to put it down. Creating a better future requires that we let go of the past-not ignore or forget it but keep in in the review mirror for reference rather than hung like an albatross around our necks. Our Republic is not perfect (show me a regime that is) but one cannot deny that we have grown in ways that even the Founders may not have anticipated because of our need to want more, to be better, and to do better for ourselves and others because

“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 are Life, Liberty, 

and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The term “happiness” is different from Locke’s trinity of “life, liberty, and property.” Rather “it is not merely sensual or hedonistic, but engages the intellect, requiring the careful discrimination of imaginary happiness from “true and solid” happiness.  It is the “foundation of liberty” because it frees us from enslavement to particular desires.” This is an idea going back to the Stoics and eventually the Epicureanism, which was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson.

So, yes, we as a Republic have fallen short on our ideals from time to time. But yes, we have gotten up in accordance with the virtues written by Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, Epicureans, and Roman philosophers to continue the struggle of being better-of reaching for our idea. The idea of Life, Liberty and pursuit of Happiness. May we continue our struggle together, recognizing when we have fallen, and always resolving to get up and continue the struggle for "a more perfect Union."