The Politics Of Independence
It’s unfortunate that the United States Independence Day has become political. It should be a chance for the country to come together. We just came through a brutal campaign season. We are coming out of a pandemic that locked us down for more than a year. And now, we had a chance to celebrate.
Why would anyone want to protest today?
Some are criticizing the fact that when we declared our independence 245 years ago, the founders left slavery in existence. They denied women the right to vote, and most other things. They started the country on a period of expansion that destroyed entire Native American cultures.
In fact, none of the advances we’ve made over the past two centuries were not in place in 1776. Just as none of the advanced we will make over the next two centuries are in place today.
Our country was just in its infancy. This Fourth of July my family came over including one of the granddaughters. She’s eight months old. She can crawl great. She can pull herself up. But, she can’t walk yet. She is a very cute baby. Seriously, she’s a baby model on Amazon. She’s that cute.
How would it be if 10 years from now I were to look back on this weekend and refuse to celebrate her accomplishments because she wasn’t walking? Or talking?
Why would we insist that a country, especially one forged in blood and fighting such long odds should be formed fully built? And when my granddaughter learns to walk and then run, talk and then sing, should I say “But, you used to be a baby?” Of course she used to be a baby. And then she got older. (Well, she’ll get older.)
If there were a country in the world of 2021 that had the Constitutional as originally written, without the amendments, we would rightly call it backward. We would call for equal rights for women. We’d insist that they abolish slavery. We would push for equal rights. But, 245 years ago? Everyone allowed slavery. No one granted women rights.
So, our country was not perfect when it was formed. And it’s certainly not perfect now. But, the fact that our country has endured 245 with it’s original form of government is a testament to just how inspired the founders were.
So, happy birthday America. I’m proud to know you.
Stay safe
Rodney M Bliss is an author, columnist and IT Consultant. His blog updates every weekday. He lives in Pleasant Grove, UT with his lovely wife, thirteen children and grandchildren.
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