We Don't Have To Listen To Queen Mum Anymore

Independence Day.




I asked my staff at my meeting on Monday, after reading this to them: Declaration of Independence... (which I called the Preamble to Constitution in my ignorance:
but in anycase:)
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. 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.

Then I asked, what does Independence Day mean to you.
Here's what was said: Spend time with my family and friends, grill outside, fireworks, july 4th, grandson's birthday, I'm not from this country, but all of our friends come over, we don't do that for Christmas or any other holiday, but we all get together on July 4; Freedom to make money.

What happened to answers like: We are free to say stupid things to my boss after listening to one of the most compelling documents ever written?
I can't believe the shallow minded simplicity of people who are supposedly educated and intelligent. What happened to a day to celebrate being free? No one actually must read about not being educated and the accompanying perils, being oppression, having limbs cut off by barbarians, outright repression, having your children abducted at threat of death to be trained to kill those who disagree, selling women and children into sex slavery. What about saying something simple like this is a day to honor those who sacrifice their lives for my country to protect me from barbarians, slavery, the outright hateful? Our janitor summed it up: I was in the military. He understood the meaning of sacrifice for freedom. But, does one have to serve in the military to appreciate our country's Independence? I think not.

For me, Independence Day means the freedom to practice religion as we please, not freedom from mind you, freedom of religion. It's freedom to transfer power peacefully, freedom to live and work where we please. Freedom to not vote and Freedom to be stupid as hell for the rest of your life if you choose.