Happy Birthday to US

Happy Birthday to US

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

July 2, 2010

“The Declaration of Independence [is the] declaratory charter of our rights, and the rights of man.” – Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826); Founding Father; credited author of said document and third president of these United States of America.

A little housekeeping note first and up front – I dislike the expression “happy fourth of July.” Happy Independence Day is the correct expression or happy birthday America is acceptable. We the people are celebrating our independence from the tyrannical shackles of King George III and that of England. Every country has a fourth of July, but not every country has true independence.

The long road toward independence did not end on July 4, 1776 – that was merely the date we the people declared enough was enough from England. Enough taxation without representation, enough quartering British soldiers at colonist’s expense, enough passing of laws unilaterally without regard to their effect on the people, enough denying the people local representation who would understand the needs and problems the colonists faced, enough deprivation of trial by jury to the people, enough denying the people the right to trade freely with other international partners, and enough of the general and overall usurpation of rights and freedoms, at a whim, given to free people.

Sadly, only 234 years since that declaration, this country finds itself once again at a crossroads fighting against a government that refuses to listen to the people. We the people have a federal government in a virtual war with one its states over the fundamental right of protecting the borders and the citizens who live within those borders. We the people have a government more strongly supporting eminent domain than ever before, thinking it knows what is best for the people. We the people have a government hell bent on stealing our freedoms one by one by denying us the right to make our own decisions regarding health care.

“I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious.” – Thomas Jefferson. Imagine what he would think of the monstrosity called the federal government in 2010 instead of 1810. The bigger the government, the more far-reaching into our pockets and the firmer the grip it has on our rights and freedoms.

This is not a partisan beef, both major political parties are at fault for allowing our borders to remain porous and unchecked. Both parties have taxed and spent this country into ever deepening debt and deficits that virtually all its members are complicit in not just stealing from the American people, but from future generations. More than 80 percent of the acts committed by the Congress – those elected members of the federal government we sent to represent us – are actually unconstitutional.

While on the subject of what is or is not constitutional, message to Barack Obama: spreading the wealth around: unconstitutional. “Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” – Founding Father James Madison (1751-1836); credited author of the United States Constitution and fourth president of these United States.

Another constitutional issue was in the headlines more recently than the 2008 campaign, as this week the Second Amendment granting the people the right to keep and bear arms was restored a mere 219 years after achieving federal ratification, much to the chagrin of the gun control crowd. Remember, gun control is not about guns – it’s about control. Be ever vigilant in protecting your rights and freedoms for we know not when they will be under siege and by whom.

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.” – Founding Father Patrick Henry (1736-1799) in a speech before the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1778.

We the people are under the thumb of a government growing larger and acting less responsive and certainly less responsibly to the people knowing that incumbency not only has its advantages, but the incumbents themselves behave with such arrogance as to believe they are invincible. It is up to us – the people – the rank and file of this great nation to re-declare our independence not just on July 4, but on November 2 when we go to the voting booths and take back our freedoms. Those who seek our support and votes are also answerable to us as well. They must be held accountable every day – they work for us – not the other way around.

“Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…” – Thomas Jefferson; The Declaration of Independence

Heed this message citizens and voters: don’t let the other guy worry about our country – take personal responsibility – learn about the candidates, support the candidates of your choice, share your choice and opinion with your friends and neighbors and vote on election day – every year – not just in presidential elections. The ignorant can be enslaved, the learned can prevent such tyranny.

Tyranny can also be prevented by the preparation and strength of our defenses. We have our freedoms because of the determination of a military willing to sacrifice their most precious and ultimate gifts – their lives – then, as well as today. From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan and all wars and conflicts in between, it is the military – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and reservists that preserve our rights and freedoms and enable us to live in peace in the United States.

“To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” – Founding Father George Washington (1732-1799); Revolutionary War general and first president of these United States.

“Independence forever.” – The last public words of John Adams (1735-1826); Founding Father who, for some time, stood alone in pushing for Independence from England before it became popular and second president of these United States of America. The nation mourned the loss of Adams and his friend and rival Jefferson simultaneously as the two giants died on July 4, 1826.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and political consultant living in Alexandria, VA.