Independence

Independence Day.  While there will be celebrations and barbecues and fireworks across the nation, I have to ask a question I know I am not alone in pondering.  Have we lost sight of today’s meaning?

On July 4, 1776, 237 years ago, the Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence, separating the United States from the British Empire.  It was a bold, spirited, brave move to win freedom from an oppressive government, and arguably changed the course not only of American history, but the rule of monarchs worldwide and the rise of democratic governance.

The most famous section of the Declaration is probably its preamble.  “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.”  This is not the introduction of this historic document, however.  It begins thus:

“The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Right here, right in the very beginning of our nation’s independence, the separation of church and state is established.  The Continental Congress is basically saying that the people deserve an equal opportunity to make their own way, and to be governed by a body that is concerned largely with helping them experience this.

After the preamble, the declaration continues:  “That to secure these rights, 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, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

It is this section right here that should be moving us to action in this modern day.  Almost a quarter of a millennium ago, they invoked the right of the people to alter or abolish their government for our own safety and happiness.  In fact, the Constitution of the United States, adopted by this newly created independent nation 13 years after its Declaration of Independence, begins with “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Do you believe that We the People are represented by our government today?  For the most part I fear the answer is no.  Our governing bodies have become insular, divided by parties with specific agendas and rigidities, and increasingly beholden to corporate entities and their money.  Maybe on the most local level of government We the People still have some empowerment, but overall I cannot see it.

We are being inundated with stories of government inaction.  Our Congress is so deeply divided that compromise has become a dirty word.  In Texas the Governor clearly wants HIS agenda alone, and will manipulate the process however he can to make it happen.  The two parties are so beholden to special interests that they can hardly be seen to do anything useful for the average American – like helping students with educational loan interest rates.  Even our Supreme Court has become so out-of-touch with reality, they have recently set the stage to turn back the clock on voting rights by decades.

And We the People are disempowered.  We have allowed fear of terrorism to grant the government unbelievable power in spying on us.  If you are a woman you are seeing constant attacks on your rights to mind your own body and health far beyond the scope of human decency in the name of politics.  And soon we will watch certain states where all those currently in power begin taking advantage of the recent Supreme Court decision, and go forward with new and unbelievable means to suppress the voters they fear will remove them from power.

Am I calling for a 2^nd American Revolution?  No.  At least, not yet.  But my purpose in writing this today is to remind you of what Independence means.  When you are enjoying your day off from work, and you are spending time celebrating with friends and family and watching the fireworks displays, think on why this is a holiday.  And please consider the imminent danger our disempowerment represents to the future of our way of life, and our ability to make our own way.

I believe, and I hope not wrongly, that the silent majority is reasonable.  The silent majority still holds these truths to be self evident, that ALL are created equal.  Before I and other thinkers like me become enemies of the state, before we allow this government to continue down this dark and dangerous path, it is my hope the silent majority will end its silence.  Let’s break the cycle, demand our government return to accountability, and do right By the People, rather than by their corporate sponsors and various self-interests.

Let us reclaim our independence.