In a few days, we will be celebrating the 234th birthday of the Republic. Or will we?
For the past several decades, discontent has become more prevalent than gratitude, the "Be Grateful" billboards posted by the Newman Sign Company notwithstanding.
The political left is unhappy because the government is not big enough to do everything. The political right is indignant because big government is doing too much. It seems that very few people are happy with where 234 years of democracy has brought us.
Nationalism is not my idol, but I think that we have been blessed by a great country that is worth honoring on Independence Day. It may not be perfect but, as Winston Churchill said, democracy is the worst form of government except all others that have been tried.
Maybe those who are so unhappy with democracy in America would like to try another form. Anarchy, aristocracy and monarchy all are options.
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Polarization of the left and the right seems to have produced a large number of people who can see only the negative qualities our country. They claim to be staunch Americans, but they talk as though American democracy has been a great failure.
I refuse to join them.
The powers that be could decide government should be smaller, and I would still think this is a great country.
The powers that be could decide that government should be bigger, and I would still think this is a great country.
The powers that be could double my taxes, and I would still think this is a great country.
The powers that be could tell me that they were violating my privacy for security reasons, and I would still think this is a great country.
The powers that be could ask me about my immigration status, and I would still think this is a great country.
The powers that be could tell me that they were rationing my use of energy, and I would still think this is a great country.
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The powers that be could go into a huge debt for wars and the economy, and I would still think this is a great country.
Perhaps the time has come for us to pause in our picnics, dances, reunions, fireworks and other Fourth of July festivities to consider the reasons so many people from other countries are trying desperately to get into the U.S. They must see something great that we no longer appreciate.
There's more to America than its unresolved problems and debatable solutions -- a lot more. So this Independence Day, let's say something good about America -- for one day, at least.
