Happy Independence Day!

Independence Day. What does it mean? Officially the fourth of July marks the day this nation declared it's independence from England. It was a declaration that we were going to form our own nation because England was not fulfilling its' duties towards us. That's what the bulk of the declaration of Independence is, a list of the grievances of the colonies against their homeland.

It was a list that contained far more than the simple "taxation without representation" that was thrown to us in school when I was a girl. I wonder how many Americans will take the time, today, to read the entirety of that document to their children? I wonder how many will look at that list of grievances and note that many of them are stunningly appropriate to be said about our current federal government?

"He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us." Seems to be appropriate for the people of Arizona who are being denied federal enforcement of immigration laws and denied also the ability to enforce their own laws.

"For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury" This would seem to apply to the case of the TSA's invasive and unconstitutional searches and seizures at airports, bus and train stations and now, even random searches of private vehicles.

"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance." Can anyone say Czar? Or obamacare?

"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation" Why are we in Libya again? And how dare Mr. Obama, in acting as the Commander in Chief of a voluntary military turn over the command of that military to a foreign body? (NATO)

"For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments" Does anyone remember a campaign promise to "fundamentally transform" our government and nation? It is the job and place of the president of these united states to MAINTAIN and PRESERVE our form of government, not to transform it. Yet, the people, through greed, ignorance, apathy or a combination of those and others voted for this man.

Yes, Happy Independence Day to all, but while you are celebrating, remember that we are facing a crisis in our republic. A crisis that may leave our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren paying for our greed, ignorance and apathy.

We celebrate, today, the efforts of men who chose to make the sacrifices they did so that we could have independence and freedom. They left it to us to maintain and preserve this nation through constant vigilance and the education of our young people in the form and maintenance of this republic. We must not shirk our duties now, when so many have paid so high a price. We can preserve our republic and we must. The alternative is not to be considered except with sorrow and shame.

(On a personal note, the horseback photos used in this post are photos I took years ago of two dear friends. They took risks and died young, as the result of some of those risks. We all acknowledge that freedom is not free. Freedom is not safe either, and may we all be bold enough to grasp the risks with both hands and be willing to pay the price. I could wish they were still with us, but not at the expense of their freedom to make such choices. My world is better for having had them in it. R.I.P John and Johnny. I look forward to meeting you again, and my thanks to Jesus Christ for making it possible.)

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. " ~ Luke 17:10