The document is still relevant

"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 among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed.

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness" - The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 (Thos. Jefferson et al.)

A few days ago we gathered in picnics and parties to celebrate America's birthday. Two hundred thirty six years ago, the Continental Congress under John Hancock and with fifty six men assembled from the Thirteen Colonies gathered under the threat of treason to ratify this document and dissolve the bonds of the British Empire who they were fighting for over a year.

These men met in Philadelphia and after three days of work the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was ready and adopted on July 4th. The adoption was heralded by church bells ringing out the news.

These men were brave and in the minority when they took this course of action to justify the war against Britain and solidify our freedom. Many of their fellow citizens were loyal to the Crown and did not want to rock the boat. It took 56 men and their resoluteness to buck the status quo and make the changes that brought forth our nation's birth. It was not an easy path. The Colonies were committed to a painfully long seven years of defeats and struggles. Against all odds the Colonies persevered and in 1783 won the Revolution cementing the United States as a nation.

This piece of paper is the cornerstone of our government along with the Constitution of the United States. Neither document is outdated or obsolete as enemies of this country would have us believe. It is discouraging and offensive to hear citizens of this country rationalize actions counter to these documents to satisfy their selfish ends.

Every President who has served the United States from its founding pledges the oath found in Article II, Section I of the constitution states, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Our country's foundation is its citizenry and their freedom. The Declaration states that the Creator endows us with liberties and freedoms naming life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness among them but not

necessarily the sum total. Furthermore it states that our founding fathers believed the Government should be created from its people and that its people should control it and endow it with power, not the other way around.

The Declaration further states that when the Government becomes destructive to its people, the people have the RIGHT not a privilege not an opportunity but a God given right to alter or abolish the government and replace it with one that serves its people and not Themselves.

I had the privilege of reading this document at the Summit Hill Heritage Center on Wednesday to celebrate America's birthday. I was not sure how many people would take the time to come and listen so I was pleasantly surprised and gratified to see more than 20 people in the audience waiting to listen to this reading. When I finished at least two or three said to me, "I never realized what the document says and how relevant it is today."

Yes, there are grievances contextually relevant to the King of England and Great Britain, but some of those grievances eerily describe some of the injuries and abuses we are suffering today at the hands of the government WE created. Fortunately this is still a FREE society, but I would like to point out one important thing.

Apathy has no business in a free country. Apathy is a friend of communists and despots and they count on it to overthrow governments and countries through attrition.

We are resting on our laurels and not holding our government responsible for its actions. We are throwing away our liberties and freedoms for the sake of security and common welfare. I think if our Founding Fathers saw what kind of government this nation has today they would be saddened. Their great experiment is failing before our very eyes because too many citizens in this country abdicate their responsibilities for handouts and welfare. They are puppets of a soft tyranny and essential to the destruction of the United States at the hands of its enemies.

This must stop. The people of this nation need to understand there is no free lunch. We cannot afford it. Our freedom comes with a pricepersonal responsibility. The compassion and welfare that so many need should not be mandated by a government, it should come from the heart of a compassionate spiritual nation. Nikita Khrushchev told this country years ago "We will bury you." He later said, "I got in trouble with it. Of course we will not bury you with a shovel. Your own working class will bury you."

Do you really want this communist to be correct?

We need to ask ourselves now whether this country should be free once more or a victory for communists. Time is up. The biggest tax increase in history will break this country's back and make Khrushchev's words true. Is that what you want?

There is only one thing to do this fall and that is to remove those who want you to be dependent and continue to do so until this government is beholden to the people once more. No incumbent deserves to be there by default.

The Representatives of this government should be fearful of the people, not lording over them. They WORK for you, we should not be working for and turning our money over to them.

Til next time.