When we celebrate America today we also celebrate our form of government.
Of course, this day celebrates the birth of our country.
But just as importantly we mark the creation of the first country to choose self-government — a virtually unheard of principle 243 years ago.
It not only provided for people to pick their own leaders and a system of checks and balances among the powers that be, but also wisely insisted on the rule of law, rather than rulers.
That rule of law, you might say, is our government and it ideally ensures no one gets special privileges or is subjected to unfair persecution.
All too often we hear those who complain the loudest — that our government is limiting our freedom. Some say even threatening our freedom.
There’s no doubt the debate about the merits of big government vs. small government is a much needed discussion.
But against the backdrop of some who would undermine the rule of law by refashioning it to benefit themselves we draw the line. The idea that our government is a threat to our way of life is wrongheaded. If it is a threat then we’re our own worst enemy.
We elect our government with our votes. From the recorder in a small town to state delegates and U.S. senators. And though big banks, big oil and big this and that “lobby” our government, collectively our votes top their money.
Yes, we applaud individual initiative and those who take personal responsibility for themselves, but as a nation we also believe we do things better together.
For instance, this year also marks not only the 75th anniversary of our nation spearheading the D-Day invasion but also the 75th anniversary of the signing of the GI Bill (June 22, 1944).
Throughout its many guises this legislation has proven to be nothing short of a major social and economic success for veterans and the nation.
We could also point to incredible achievements in engineering, education, health care, infrastructure, medicine, transportation, technology and much more.
In all of those fields since our nation’s founding, in a sense, we have all been in this together and continue to be despite our differences.
The men and women who serve in the military, in law enforcement, in disease control, in food inspection, in highway maintenance, in ensuring clean water and in fighting fires are the government.
We are no apologist for bad government. Matter of fact, we take pride in our role as a government watchdog.
But today as we celebrate our freedom we are reminded that those freedoms require our constant protection, too.
As does the rule of law, which is what ultimately governs each of us as Americans.
