Fourth of July remembered

July 4, 1776,

With the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this was the day when Americans officially declared their independence and freedom from Britain and democracy was born.

As we enter the 21st-century I have to ask if we are starting to lose that freedom.

With Congress taking away our land rights, our government for fear of political incorrectness is refusing to secure our own borders, budget issues preventing the protection for our citizens,and out-of-control technology, will we have to once again band together to fight for our freedom?

" 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, a separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the options of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which it held them to the separation."

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain and 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 powers from the consent of the governed..."

"... The history of the present King of Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usuorpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let the facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused to assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

... he has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable and distance from the depository of broad public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

... he has erected multiple new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

... for cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

... for imposing taxes on us without our consent:

... for suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

... We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the supreme judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and Independent states;..." (The Declaration Of Independence)

So tonight as you and your family sit back and enjoy the firecrackers, Pause for a moment and remember what this day is truly about.

Happy Fourth of July and please be safe.

Robin