242 years ago, men gathered in Philadelphia and did something pretty remarkable. They declared independence from Great Britain and, in the process, declared war on the largest and most powerful military on earth.
But, philosophically, these Founders did something much more than that. Their Declaration of Independence didn't just deal with one case. They declared that all men have a right to self-governance.
"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it."
This was a revolutionary idea: that Men should have a say in who governs them and, if a politician starts going against the will of the people, then he must be removed. Something we should do with purpose and with an educated mind.
We vote. Our Vote matters.
There are a lot of people, as many as ten percent of all persons here, who live amoung us with tacit permission. They often wish to remain non-Americans , yet want to flourish in our economy. All without embracing our culture. They need to see what they are missing..
Today is the day we can show them. With PRIDE.
Independence day we thank those who so brilliantly constructed this novel experiment. We honor those who defend it and stand on the wall so our children can sleep in peace and comfort.. Perhaps today of all days, we should also take a moment and thank each other for an agreement with each other,,,, to be AMERICANS.