Happy Independence Day!
Is this holiday because of the American Revolution (1775-1789), lead by conservatives who demanded the same traditional liberties granted to others?
Or is this holiday due to a War for Independence, lead by radicals which split families and regions between party labels and divided a country?
Natural resources, including cheap land but expensive labor, were abundant and European powers had been battling over territory which would become the United States. Who had the largest military (especially Navy) and could send the most citizens (immigrants) to occupy this land ultimately lead to British rule of the colonies.
And how did the church -- Roman Catholic, Martin Luther and the birth of Protestantism (see "protest" in that term), Calvinism and Anabaptist ideals along with the gentle pacifism of the Quakers -- play into how the United States Constitution was authored?
Our origins are directly linked to squabbles over increased taxes, even though the Colonies had been paying very low taxes. The Stamp Act (1765) doubled taxes paid to English rulers, but still meant Americans were paying less in taxes than anywhere else in the world except the Poles (no, not the North and South ones). Locals were experiencing being taxed at higher rates and increased user fees while getting less direct benefit, with companies providing access to goods or transportation generating wealth for the ruling class receiving special treatment. (Sounds familiar.)
Americans began to realize some economic power, but had little political power and arguments flared up again in 1773 when a then-global but struggling East India Company was given preferential treatment. This was followed by a tea party that got things moving to a boiling point.
Today's holiday celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress. Penned by Thomas Jefferson in the voice of John Adams, these were collaboratively written documents establishing local self-government (by the people, for the people rather than by the government, for the corporate or by the government, for the government).
In 1776, George III was king and he had most of the world honked off at England. (Some wags say we have our own George III now: 1. George Washington, 2. George Bush the First, and 3. "W" who has most of the world honked off at US and is seen as the leader eviscerating the Bill of Rights.)
In 2008, we again see our country -- locally and globally --struggling for economic and political control. The oceans that divide us today are ideological.
Celebrate the July 4 holiday by reading our federal Constitution and Bill of Rights which historic liberals solemnly believed were necessary to end economic depression, social uncertainty and an ineffective central government, and so formed a national republic in 1787.
Make an Independence Day resolution and commit to being an American. Resolve to support self-government. This means government BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE. Locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally. Unlike 1776, being a citizen includes people who don't own land (or much else), women, African-Americans and naturalized immigrants. These were other hard-fought battles, and efforts made by those who worked to grant more citizens their rights should be honored. How?
Engage and share your voice, using gentle tones of dialog modeled by the Quakers and the firm yet collaborative style of our Founding Fathers.