Fourth of July

I know it's a couple days early, but I've been contemplating just what it means to be an American today... and just what it is that we're celebrating.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? "I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the People, by the People, for the People; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; A democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many Sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Humanity for which American Patriots sacrificed their Lives and Fortunes."

Those are the principals and beliefs that our nation was founded upon. Let's think about these guiding principals for a moment. Are we still free? Yes, we can still drive across the country without papers or authorization... but are we still free to rail against our President? And is this freedome only for those who are on the same side as our government? Or should those same freedoms be sacrosanct for those who disagree with us, and with our government? Are we all equal? Or is there still some inequity in our lives? Is our government and society just? And what about the humanity we are supposed to exhibit?

I fear for our nation. Why? Passionate debate, civil discourse, and the capacity to compromise have always been part of our national ethos. I see those assets erroding daily. I fear their days are numbered. We have lost our ability to disagree, and yet do so with with some semblance of civility. Disagreement today most often leads to violence. We have become entrenched and intractable. Our differing beliefs are now forcing us apart, and causing us to fear those who believe something different. We fail to respect, let alone consider, a different point-of-view. We have become a nation of absolutes, with little room for differing opinion or philosophy.

What would I like to see in terms of debate and discourse? A recent post on the Internet says it far better than I can myself.

"A true American does not hesitate to point out America's faults (or the government's faults) with the intention of making this a better country and/or preventing serious error."

A true American supports the rights of others to vote their consciences without undue interference or fear of repercussions."

A true American supports the separation of powers and system of checks and balances - including the "Fourth Estate" (a free press) - which have kept this country free of tyranny for more than two centuries."

A person who claims that one should not criticize the U.S. government (or any branch thereof), who knowingly impedes others from voting and having their vote counted, or who works to destroy or fatally weaken one branch of government in favor of another [and I would add in favor of one philosophy or system of belief over anoth] is a false patriot at best, and a traitor at worst."

My hope on this Independence Day is that we can somehow find some common ground, and begin a civil dialog on the issues that so divide us. If we can't figure out a way to reconcile the ideal with the real, we're all in big trouble. It we can't find a way to get along with those who are not exactly like us, then our nation is destined to fail. And if we can't again take control of the destiny of our country, and the undertakings of our government, then we'll become the enemy of all nations.