4th of July 248 Years Later

In two days, much of the country will gather to celebrate the 4th of July: a day honoring the country’s independence from British rule. It is a day when we gladly permit ourselves to eat the food we love, hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, chips, dips of every variety, ribs, etc.; there will be parades, music, displays of patriotism, and the American Flag waving proudly among those who feel pride in the United States and what it stands for. As the day comes to an end, Americans will begin to line up fireworks that cause our four-legged friends to cower in the corner, and they will fire away with gusto. From massive citywide displays to firecrackers in the driveway, we seem compelled to light something and watch it go off. It is almost always a fun day and a celebration which, for many, is the highlight of summer activities.

I still believe most citizens understand the significance of this day and recognize it marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence some 248 years ago; a document that declared, unequivocally the intent of the American colonies to live free and separate from the British King. The document has withstood the test of time, and demonstrated the wisdom of our founding fathers and a basic set of core ideals the world has come to admire and aspire to, and it should. The drafters of the document didn’t hesitate to put forward a statement that became, and remains, a guiding principle for our newfound country. The second paragraph begins, “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. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

Of course, the brilliance of this document wasn’t all that was needed for the fledging country to find its way and succeed; it needed a constitution and the founders delivered. In 1788 the US Constitution was ratified and became operational in 1789; also in 1789, George Washington was elected President. President Washington would go on to serve two terms, ending with his resignation in 1797; the significance of his unforced resignation would impact the country throughout the 19th century. By resigning, Washington delivered a precedent that said two terms were enough. He demonstrated through his leadership that the strength of this great country wasn’t about one person with growing and unlimited power. The strength was the office of the presidency and the people it represented.

As I reflect on this powerful, humble, expression of love for this new country, I can’t help but feel Washington was reminding his fellow countrymen that America was about the interest of its citizens and their right for freedom from the control of one man or one synchronized institution. He was offering a road map for future leaders and suggesting they follow his path of service without personal pursuit of power.

My how we have lost our way from the founding days of this great country. Today our leaders seek, above all else, power and personal gain. They talk about all the interests of those they serve, but when faced with a choice to demonstrate their ability to follow our first President’s humble example, they fail.

My mind has been on this subject for a few days now because of President Biden’s performance in the debate last Thursday night. There aren’t enough words to adequately describe the disaster that was his evening. And yet, almost immediately, he and those around him, began to talk about him rallying; “another personal comeback for Joe Biden.” It was a chorus of people straining to find ways to say he should stay in the race. It has become a full-fledged effort to retain power, and for what end? Is it really in the best interest of this country and its population for him to be one of our choices for president? Does anyone really believe he is up to almost five years serving our country? Can they honestly justify his running as anything more than ego and a self-appointed, outsized belief of his importance? I think not.

Honestly the other candidate is no better. For most Americans it is obvious that former President Trump cares about nothing but himself. His life has demonstrated that trait continuously, and he hasn’t changed. In fact, he seems more obsessed with his own interests than ever before.

As we celebrate our country’s Independence Day, we are faced with two men who have decided, despite all evidence to the contrary, only they can lead our nation. Further, the Washington political machine, the mega donors, and the media, are complicit in this fiasco; their power is derived from this structure, and they are also devoid of any noble calling to serve a higher purpose.

I wonder on some level if we, as citizens, aren’t also contributing to this. It has become easy to justify damn near anything someone does if the “other side is worse.” To make the other side worse, relentless efforts to vilify and smear the beliefs of those who are different has become sport. It feels like we are playing the wrong game. One of my favorite expressions is, “don’t swing at a pitch at your head.” Americans locked in ideological wars seem to do nothing but swing at bad pitches.

I believe in the value of history and the need to reflect on what has occurred before us. There is so much to learn and consider. As is clear, there are very few moments in history that feel more instructive than this country’s founding and how our initial leaders chose to act when there was power to be had and personal gain there for the taking. They seemed to possess an extraordinary insight into the dangers of corruption and government dominance. But unlike today’s interpretation of out-of-control government, they appear to underscore individual leaders, and their power, were to be feared.

I wonder sometimes if I am naïve and pollyannish. I mean the struggle for power and control is as old as man itself. Today’s silliness isn’t really different; is it? I don’t know. We do seem to have lost our guardrails. Voters seem to be playing along with this game, instead of saying enough is enough. Afterall we are about to have to choose between two completely inadequate candidates, both driven by their own personal egos, for the next president, and they have support from a lot of Americans.

I wonder what George Washington, or John Adams, would say today? I wonder if they would be alarmed at the evolution of this country’s leadership. The next president will sit in office on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and oversee a country who has the longest established constitution in the world today. That is some lofty expectations and should be worthy of a great person. Are we going to get that?

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July and celebrates openly the best country in the world. I also pray we reflect on why we are the greatest country in the world and revisit the wisdom, courage, and humble guidance of our founding fathers. We could sure use some of that today.

Happy 4th.