What does Independence Day really mean

Yes, it is good to see the patriotic expressions of the American people during the 4th of July celebrations, but how many of us take the time to reflect upon what Independence Day signifies? When was the last time we read the Declaration of Independence? Let’s undertake an all-to-brief review.

Beginning with the title we see that the colonies were declaring their Independence, not Interdependence. We were to be a sovereign nation, not part of, and subservient to, a regional (i.e. North American Union - for which NAFTA is the foundation, etc.) or world (i.e. League of Nations, United Nations, etc.) government. To celebrate Independence Day, the 4th of July, and to support or be a part of the United Nations is a contradiction. Consider just one of the “fruits” of UN membership: A seemingly endless succession of wars in which we have found ourselves embroiled over the past 60 or so years, wherein Presidents have been misusing American troops by sending them around the world in unConstitutional wars in obedience to UN resolutions or UN subsidiary organizations (NATO, SEATO, etc.). The last war that was waged pursuant to the Constitutionally required Congressional Declaration of War was World War II.

Next, let’s consider the first sentence of paragraph 2: “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 to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men…”. We are endowed by a “Creator” (as the former Dean of the Law College of Notre Dame, the late Clarence Manion, would explain - “there is a God! Not as a matter of Faith, but as a matter of Fact!”) with “unalienable Rights”. Since our nation was founded upon a belief in God, how can American history be accurately taught if this foundational truth is omitted in the schools?

As we can also see from this sentence, we are endowed by our Creator with what? “Unalienable Rights”! So, our Rights come, not from government, but from God. And thus government may not take them away. So, what then is the purpose of government? As the Declaration of Independence answers: “Governments are instituted…to secure these Rights”. That’s all. When government “gives” (“entitlements”, “stimulus” and “job creation” programs, etc.) it must first take from someone/everyone else. In so doing, it violates his/their rights (in addition to being economically counterproductive).

Between fireworks and other festivities this 4th of July, let us take time to reflect upon the foundational principles of our great nation and fulfill our responsibility to see that they are put back in place. Failure to do so may very well see the end of the United States as a sovereign and prosperous nation and we as a free people.