Thoughts On Independence Day
By Tony DiPasquale (07/03/03)
This July fourth marks our country's two hundred and twenty-seventh birthday. What an unbelievable accomplishment it was for the colonists to overthrow British rule. Now, many generations removed from our date of independence, our beloved republic has altered its course. Is this just the natural course of events in the life of a nation? Could such an undertaking as our founding have happened with our leaders of today?
Back on that historic summer day in 1776, fifty-six men, from various backgrounds, came together to sign a declaration of independence from England. Contrary to popular beliefs, these signers were not men of modest means attempting to change the current system in order to better their station in life. Many had substantial wealth and held high positions, yet they were willing to risk these privileged lifestyles for a perceived "greater good."
Following a successful campaign that saw a small nation, ill equipped for war, overcome insurmountable odds and prove itself victorious against the military might of Britain, decisions had to be made concerning the new nation's form of government.
During the early years of our independence, lengthy discussions ensued regarding whether or not to establish a monarchy, confederacy, or republic, but virtually all agreed against the construction of a democracy. A forgotten Founding Father, Fisher Ames, once said, "The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness which the ambitious call, and ignorant believe to be, liberty."
So having been students of history, and believers in individual freedom, these early statesmen gave us a republican form of government premised on the notion of individual freedom.
Fast forward to today. Can anyone imagine if our present leaders were faced with the task of creating this nation? I guarantee the result would not resemble anything near what the framers instituted.
I can see it now, Teddy Kennedy would be arguing on the floor of Congress that medical coverage for all is a God-given, er government given, right. But there is a bright side; prohibition would not have a snowball's chance in hell of being implemented.
Then the senior senator of New York, Chuck Schumer, would see to it that the right to keep and bear arms would be exclusively reserved for the police, the United Nations, and possibly Rosie O'Donnell's body guards.
However, it would be unfair to single out Democrats who, while undoubtedly posing a threat to many of our liberties, would not be the only culprits; certainly Republicans would have their own areas in which to limit rights as well.
Who better in the Republican Party to illustrate a total disregard for personal freedoms than John Ashcroft. Ever since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center a few years back, Ashcroft has been striving to increase the federal government's surveillance powers without any regard for rights of law-abiding Americans. Obviously, if Mr. Ashcroft played a part in a present day constitutional convention, Americans could surely kiss the protections of the Fourth Amendment and parts of the Fifth Amendment good-bye. In this world, the ability for the government and police to watch citizens would only be limited by the latest technological abilities.
Of course, there would be no need to worry about the existence of anything resembling the Ninth and Tenth Amendments, as both parties would make certain ALL power resided in Washington. Then again, this is pretty much happening today.
Luckily, in this scenario we would not have to worry about Hillary Clinton declaring herself monarch for life — that is, unless the "Chicago Machine" was counting votes.
Does this sound like a country people all over the world would sacrifice their lives to come to? Does it sound like a nation that would respect and uphold individual freedoms? Certainly not. But it may be the America of tomorrow if we do not alter our current course.
I imagine if our Founding Fathers were alive today, one would see tears in their eyes. To think of all they risked to give their posterity a place in which religion could be practiced without fear, a right that seems to dwindle daily. Could they have ever dreamed a day would come in which Americans feared their government, rather than the opposite being true?
This is not a proclamation of defeat; all is not lost. Instead, this is a call to all freedom-loving Americans to become active in restoring this great country to its past glory.
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