Thomas Jefferson wrote so eloquently to explain why the separation was necessary:
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, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
It is the preamble to that document, however, which sets forth the philopophy that makes this country so great. The preamble asserts the rights of the people over the rights of the government:
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....
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness for All.. not just white males.Under the representative democracy in which we live, we cannot abdicate our responsibilities as citizens. Freedom is not free! Democracy is not a spectator sport!
Enjoy the pomp, pagentry, celebration and my favorite, the food of this great holiday! (two cookouts and a fireworks show for me). But please register, vote, elected people who listen and respond to your needs, write, call, march, walk, participate!
