OUR TURN: Remember the reasons for Independence Day
July Fourth is here, and Americans should look at this as something more than an occasion to set off fireworks and have a barbecue.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with those activities, but July Fourth is also Independence Day, an event that should carry a deep significance for all Americans; indeed, anyone who cherishes liberty.
The July Fourth holiday is a celebration of freedom, of the right of a people to determine their own destiny, to pursue the dream of liberty and happiness, to worship freely, to gather peaceably even in protest and to say what’s on their mind without fear of reprisal.
When the Founding Fathers first drafted such concepts in the Constitution more than 230 years ago, they weren’t necessarily new — just untried. No other nation before or since has been so intrinsically involved in this experiment of republican government we call democracy.
Over the years, Americans have been sorely tested, both from within and without. And freedom, as they say, is not free. It can only be bought with the blood, sweat and tears of the United States’ dedicated men and women of the armed services, and the sacrifices of many others who fought their own battles for liberty, whether it was for the free flow of information, safe working conditions or civil rights.
This country has a proud legacy, and while the days ahead may seem dark — terrorism, high unemployment, recession, environmental concerns — we should continue to trust in ourselves and our innate ability to govern well, even if that sometimes means dissension and disagreement.
This nation will survive, but we must also constantly ask ourselves, what can we do to make it work better?
• Stay informed. The only way a democracy works is if the citizens have enough accurate information to make sound decisions. So read newspapers, watch good television, visit blogs and Web sites that you trust, talk to neighbors whose opinions you value. Search out issues and study them.
• Get involved. Don’t just criticize government — take part. Vote, join a commission or a committee, voice your opinion at public meetings and register your views. In fact, if you really think you can make a difference, run for office.
• Volunteer. Help your community. Join a civic organization or social club. Coach a sports team. Spend some time at your child’s school helping out. Agree to assist with a function or committee at your church or other organization you belong to. Staying involved with other citizens at the grassroots level adds another layer of involvement and deepens your ties to your community.
• Keep the economy strong. It’s OK to be a consumer. Every dollar spent in your community increases its yield by a factor of seven, economists say. That’s why it’s vitally important to shop local and patronize hometown businesses. The economic health of your community is directly tied to the fate of local merchants. Support them and keep your town strong.
• Be tolerant. Not everyone is going to agree with your views, but that doesn’t mean you need to hate them. America was built on the idea of cherishing diverse viewpoints and fostering reasoned discourse; this country’s latest swing into polemics and unwavering ideologies does not bode well. Be prepared to at least listen to another viewpoint — politely — without dismissing it from the start.
These tips are offered in the spirit of goodwill, and with a desire to encourage more participation and interest in the affairs of this community and the country at large.
In the meantime, go out, visit one of the fireworks displays in the area, spend time with friends and family, and take a moment to reflect on the things that make America great. You may find you’ve made your own small contribution somewhere along the way.