FOOD FOR THOUGHT

INDEPENDENCE DAY

222 years ago in the "Colonies of the New World", citizens got together and formed a solid group of legislators and foresighted intellectuals for the purpose of forming a new governing body for a new nation. This governing body was made "Of the People". The reasoning on this was that the common man (or woman) would have an insight and determination that would make for a better form of rule. The King of England was out of touch with the "real world" on this side of the Atlantic Ocean and we, therefore, needed to have our own governing rules for our own country. It was a novel thought, to allow the people to govern themselves, and would take quite a lot of reasoning and formatting to set the ground rules. Ground rules that would, hopefully, last through the ages. Ground rules that would, hopefully, make the new nation a great place to live and thrive. Ground rules that would, hopefully, make the new nation a world power and leader. Ground rules that would, hopefully, allow the rules to change for the better and not the worse. After all, did the King not understand that taxes were eating up the people? Did he not understand that religious freedom was a necessary part of the human society? Did he not understand that "We the People" could and would only put up with so much before we were broken (both physically, spiritually and financially) and would demand freedom from tyranny?

From these group meetings and private conversations came the underground movement that was soon to erupt into a fight to obtain freedom for the "United States of America". The fight would span many years and take many lives, but would be worth the price in the end. America was born and has become the strong world power that those foresighted members of long ago had invisioned. We have had political, religious, and social freedoms for over two hundred years and have seen many changes (amendments) to our original rules of government, while keeping most of the original world shaking foundations of self rule "By the People" intact. Many more changes will undoubtedly be made, as our Constitution is a "Living Document", and with the proper foresight, these changes will benefit all Americans.

It is necessary, however, to mention that we would not have become a nation under our own rule if everyone had not been a part of the original movement back in the 1700's. It started as a whisper among the disenchanted and grew to a roar that was heard around the world. All new ideas start this way. Some lose momentum and die while others grow into sweeping changes. If the changes made are helpful to the people, it is good, but if they are detrimental to the people, they need to be put away. When these changes take away from "We the People" and stifle the ability of the majority to succeed in "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" then we must rethink those paths and remove them. However, if the laws are sound and good, we must stand and fight to keep them in force.

This is what the "Forefathers" had in mind during their secret meetings that led up to the formation of the Declaration of Independence and the breaking of political ties with England. The rights that we take for granted were not part of the life in those days. There was no real religious freedom. There was no real liberty. There was no real pursuit of happiness. There was no real new world. It was all just an extension of the "Old World" and another way for the King to get more funds to feed his lifestyle. Our original settlers were nothing but slaves to the King and suppliers for the Commonwealth. They, as "New World" settlers, made the decision to start anew, to begin again, to give themselves the freedom that their parents did not have and to pass that freedom down to their following generations. Freedom to worship. Freedom to think. Freedom from oppression of all types. Freedom to grow into something worthwhile. Freedom from undue taxes. They knew that it all started from not being able to participate in the governing process, so they got involved with that process and started making the changes that were needed. THEY GOT INVOLVED so that you could have all that you do have today.

"OLD GLORY"

I thrill to watch Old Glory fly and wave her gleaming colors high.

Therein the red, the white and blue, I see a nation great and true.

A country made of men who dared to fight and die because they cared.

Who, yet today, defend each right to keep aflame our freedom's light.

Free speech, free press, free enterprise, are banners waving in the skies.

The right to live, the right to pray, and worship G~d in one's own way.

These are the truths unvarying, for which men bleed and work and sing.

What noble task is there for me, to help preserve our liberty?

Instead of malice, greed and hate, these freedoms I must demonstrate.

Our nation, founded under G~d, must share its good across earth's sod.

For only then will all men know what loyal seed their lives may grow.

I see in this kaleidoscope, our sacred trust, our every hope.

Blest symbol of the free and brave, I thrill to watch Old Glory wave.

Author-Harold Schultz

Think about it !

Our early leaders did not fight for OUR INDEPENDENCE from England and the King just to give it to another,albeit new, national government and leader. They fought to gain it and keep it for ALL Americans. Without being part of the system, you allow the system to rule your life (do I see the King here?). By not standing up for your rights, you just give them away to the more vocal group. You have nothing to say or complaint to make if you do not take a stand and speak out for what you believe in. You may not always get what you want, but you do have the right to ask for what you feel is right for the majority. In order for our form of government to work, each of us must become involved in the day to day ideas that may come to fruition. We must insure that we can assure our children that they will have freedoms that we have now. We must, on a personal level, make sure that our government is "For the People" and not for the government; local, regional or national.

[FOOD FOR THOUGHT]

Last Updated on 08-Jan-08