“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on to them to do the same.”
-----Ronald Reagan
Happy Fourth of July! 249 years ago today, our founding fathers declared independence from one King and vowed never to have another. Our democracy, the Grand Experiment, has sputtered and chugged and pushed forward, ever learning, ever expanding, ever improving. I celebrate the journey. I worry that the journey may be reaching its end with a return to a time far removed from a nation built on freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom from want. America is a great nation. She never achieved greatness by moving backward, or even standing still.
I offer the observation of one of our founding fathers, perhaps the most revered American of all time, and the Man Who Would Not Be King. George Washington warned us, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” Our right to free speech is the cornerstone of democracy. A loyal but vocal opposition is crucial to maintaining balance and holding back extremism on either side of the aisle.
Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” Our forefathers spoke out. Loudly. Let us not forget our origins, but let us learn from them and keep moving forward. Loudly.
No comments:
Post a Comment