Independence Day

I am going to wax a bit patriotic today. 

grucci.com

I know that our country has issues.  I know we have problems and that our representative democracy is not perfect.  We all feel it when we fill up our gas tanks, or pay for medical care, or worry about the high cost of education...

But let's put that aside, just for today, and look at the good.

Today we can watch the Yankees play the Red Sox in what is one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports, let alone the great American pastime.

Or we can revel in the excitement of the Coke Zero (formerly Pepsi) 400 NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway.

As a nation, we will consume more than 150 million hot dogs today.

What's more American than that?

And today, on the 232 birthday of our country's Declaration of Independence (as we officially celebrate it), we are hitting the meat of what is an amazing presidential run.

On one side, there is a Senator from Illinois, who is the first non-white man ever to win his party's nomination for President Of The United States.  And who is inspiring the young to get involved in a way few have seen since 1968.  One generation removed from sit-ins, and marches, and speeches on the Mall, we could elect a minority as our leader.  Amazing. 

On the other side of the aisle, a war hero.  A man who served his country well and, as a prisoner of war in Viet Nam, refused to leave his fellow sailors behind in captivity.  After a life of service, he has overcome incredible odds to sit at the brink of leading our country at a critical time.

And then we have the third party candidates. 

One, a champion of consumer rights, the other a man who fights for a party whose ideals are not represented elsewhere.

None of these men are flawless.  Each has his warts,his ego, and his ambition.  But we get to choose which one wins.

The system is not perfect.  Many contend money and corporations still have too much influence.

But no matter the rhetoric or the nastiness of a political campaign, when the time comes to transfer power we will do it peacefully.

We have done this 43 times before in our young history.  And each time, whether the party in power stays in power...or gives it up to the other...it does so without violence.

We need not look far to see how rare that is.  Every four years we get a chance to chart our own course.

Every four years we say, as a nation, where it is we choose to go. 

While we have come to an era of centrist ideology...close national races separated by a couple of percentage points here or there...the majority does have its say.

So as we're watching baseball, or stock car racing, or enjoying a family barbecue in the backyard, remember what those fireworks really represent.

They are to remind us of the struggle that it took to be free, to stay free, and to exercise our independence in ways few countries have ever offered.

Thanks for reading.  TA

Comments

[mntruthseeker]

I am new and trying to find as much info as I can on Ron Paul. I read tonight that they have over 200 FBI's armed with the new rifle that shoots non lethal pallet and their tazers. They are also putting up chicken wires or fencing. For all that are going to Denver, Please make sure you can prove you are a US Citizen.Be very careful if thats your plan. God be with you all. What a sad world we live in. Who the hell do they think they are to put in all the effort to make their choice. We do need to stand up and pray with all our might to stop this. I just got into all of this and I have been sharing with all. Go Ron Ron 08 Ron 08

[Clay Potts]

Once the Republicans are out of Office things will get better.

[CACC'64]

Ludovico's comment is right on target! I have personally witnessed the deterioration of the core fabric of American values, moral codes, and trusted institutions. If there is not a return to these American standards, I am afraid that future generations will live in utter ignorance and stupidity. Should you have grandchildren and great grandchildren, are you capable of visualizing what their lives will be like compared to how you are living today, and how your grandparents lived in the past. Their America, and ours no longer exists. It has come to the point where a presumptive nominee of a political party has refused to wear an American flag lapel pin, cross his heart when the national anthem is played. To some, these are minor irritants, to others they are indications of the future of American values...nonexistant. First, no prayer in school, second, no Nativity on court house lawns, third, ROTC removed from San Francisco schools...on and on! In closing, let us reflect on what a well publicized quote from Senator Barry Goldwater in the campaign of 1964 means in the terms of today's celebration of 232 years of our Republic. Don't remember? Check it out!

[Ludovico Sforza]

God has blessed America and will continue. America has enjoyed 8 years of judicious, profound and brillant leadership in a global war against a cruel, cowardly Islamic enemy where we have liberated 65 million people from oppression and cruel barbarism to self determination and freedom at little cost in lives and treasure while supporting a growing thriving economy.

In 2006, in a fit of stupid and childish pique an ill informed and largely stupid electorate without any historic perspective elected a democratic house and senate and handed the Republic over to the most flea bitten collection of retro-grade leftist trash in our history which has subverted our economy, energy policies and war effort for their partisan gain and now they place the most reprehensible and vile racist leftist dreg up for their Presidential Candidate and he is said to be a beacon of hope.

Nope sorry Bush in 2008 is Lincoln in 1863 and his legacy will be substantial and all of the Copperheads who loathe him forgotten.

[Chloe]

Happy 4th of July. America has taken a few steps backwards in the last few years but with hope, intelligence and vision for our future, we will move forward.

God Bless America!

[Sam Alexander]

Yes, it is good to think about the positive on this 4th of July. At a time when we and many of those in other countries dislike some of the behavior of our government, we should also think about the immigration issue. Realize that great numbers of folks are trying to get into our country not to leave it. As Tom said, "the system is not perfect". But I ask you, where you would rather live?

[Gwen S.]

VERY WELL SAID!! Have a great weekend Tom!