While most people will celebrate July 4 with hot dogs and fireworks, strolling down street fairs and checking out music festivals, I would like to remind everyone why we have this day off to do as we please–our forefathers determination to give this country and its residents a better life than they had known in the past.
Yes, I know, it’s hard to believe that we have more to celebrate than a paid day off. Well, actually, since the time those who founded this country risked life and limb to give us liberties never before heard of, we are now the fattest country in the world, one filled with hatemongering for minorities and we capitalize on the poor and give huge tax credits to the rich.
Hmmm…
While we still are the best country in the world, given the freedoms we have that most do not, I still think we have a long way to go. Even though we have the freedom to practice any religion, there is still persecution for not believing the same way. Even though we have the freedom of expression, hate crimes still abound. Even though we have the right to free speech, many believe the press should be suppressed.
Not exactly what our forefathers intended. And while many might fall back and assume that our founding fathers’ idea of a utopia for the US should be based on Puritan theology, I believe we would be discrediting them STUPENDOUSLY to think they would ever believe the only way to live was based on a single religion.
This July 4th, think of more than just yourself and what makes you happy. Think more than what you THINK this country should be like and actually OPEN your eyes to what is going on and accept it for all its greatness and flaws. Think about unity between all those who hate each other for nothing more than a difference of race, religious preference, gender or anything else. Think about how great we have it while so many suffer world wide because of oppression. This July 4th set off a firework for a truly unified nation where love abounds and hate is destroyed.
Just my idea of utopia…
