Since today is the 4th of July, and the whole reason I started this blog and the Unapologetically Outspoken platform in the first place was because I felt compelled to speak out as a patriotic American, I think it’s both appropriate and important to post an article about patriotism, freedom, and what this holiday is really all about. Yes, barbecues, fireworks, pool parties, and alcohol are in order, but do you know what you’re even celebrating?? Stephanie and I covered this more in depth on the podcast yesterday, but in case you missed it, or you don’t follow the podcast, here’s my thoughts on what we should all be remembering and feeling grateful for on Independence Day.

Starting with a brief history lesson for those of you who may have forgotten or who were never taught properly in the first place… July 4th is the celebration of America declaring independence from Great Britain in 1776, when the British American colonies got tired of Britain’s tyrannical rule, and the American Revolutionary War began in 1775. The colonists fought to be recognized as independent states, separate from Britain. It was essentially an uprising – a rebellion, where delegates from the original 13 colonies came together and formed the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Even though the war lasted until 1783, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted on July 4th, 1776, thus sparking the birth of this great nation. The actual document itself wasn’t signed until August 2nd, 1776, but we recognize July 4th as the official holiday because it marked the date that the Continental Congress approved the final wording.

Now here’s where the powerful part comes in, at least from my perspective. I’m going to quote directly from an article titled, “Introduction: Revolutionary Importance of the Declaration of Independence” by guest essayist Judge Michael Warren on the constitutingamerica.org website:

“The importance of the Declaration of Independence can hardly be overstated. It established for the first time in world history a new nation based on the First Principles of the rule of law, unalienable rights, limited government, the Social Compact, equality, and the right to alter or abolish oppressive government.

Contrary to the beliefs of some, the American Revolution was not fought for lower taxes or to protect slavery. In fact, the tea tax which provoked the Boston Tea Party actually lowered the price of tea, and many of the Founding Fathers were opposed to slavery.

Indeed, the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence announces for the whole world to see our underlying motivation for the American Revolution:

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 just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.“

So, why do I find this particular article so compelling? Because I think Americans have become so comfortable and complacent with taking our respective “freedoms” for granted that we have forgotten what our actual freedoms are truly supposed to entail. America was founded on the principle of “we the people” holding the power. The citizens of America, not the government. It is spelled out very clearly in the language of the Declaration of Independence that WE have the right to equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and if our government attempts to deny or take away those unalienable rights, “we the people” have a right (and frankly, in my mind, a responsibility) to alter or abolish that government and institute a new one. But do we actually have this power…?

I suppose one can argue that’s the reason why we have “free and fair elections” – to alter our government structure to fit the will of the people. Perhaps that was true at one time, but we all know that’s bullshit in this day and age. There is no such thing as a “free and fair election” when voter fraud runs rampant and we have a one-party system that’s hijacked our government. And there’s also no such thing as true freedom with a government structure increasingly based on excessive taxation combined with overreaching laws, social programs, and incentives designed to keep people poor and dependent, believing the government should be responsible for taking care of us.

Does the fault lie with the Biden Administration alone? Of course not. It lies with our federal government structure in general, regardless of which party is in power. We haven’t had the actual freedoms that the Founding Fathers wanted for this country in decades. They have been slowly eroded away over time, and our government has become exceedingly more powerful than it was designed to be. The difference over the past several years is that government suppression of our freedoms has been kicked into high gear, and we are on a speeding train with no brakes, controlled by conductors who are gleefully and purposefully destroying everything America stands for.

Am I still grateful to live in a country with more freedoms than pretty much anywhere else in the world? Absolutely. I literally express gratitude for my freedom every day. But those freedoms are being taken away at an alarming rate, and I will not pretend that what’s happening in this country is acceptable or okay. Because it’s not.

What happened to “we the people?” We have been purposefully divided with the specific intention of keeping us focused on fighting each other and arguing over completely insane and ridiculous shit instead of coming together in support of protecting America and the values and beliefs our country was founded on. The only way we can win the battle of good vs. evil (which is how I see the relationship between the people of this country and big government) is to unite as patriotic Americans and take back our power. Not separated by politics or divided by gender ideology and manufactured racism. The only way we have even a chance at true freedom is to mutually and unwaveringly stand together for independence and freedom, just as the American colonists did back in the 1770’s.

Are we truly capable of doing this? The hopeful idealist in me says yes, but the realist in me says no fucking way. At least not without the intervention of a cataclysmic event or a full-blown war. And even then, I have my doubts. As a whole, we have become too soft, too weak, too dependent, too comfortable, too complacent, and oftentimes, too stupid, too ignorant, and far too naïve to understand what true freedom is about.

I could go on and on, but I think I’ve made my point. And this post is not meant to be depressing or an angry rant. It’s merely meant to provoke some critical thought about the historical significance of why we have a July 4th holiday in the first place. Enjoy the barbecued steaks, burgers, and hot dogs. Have a refreshing alcoholic beverage. Celebrate with your friends and family. Whip out your collection of sparklers and let the kids run around on the lawn. Go watch a patriotic fireworks show. Take advantage of the great sale prices on a new lawnmower or some patio furniture. But also take a few moments to be grateful for your freedom, and then ask yourself, are you willing to fight to keep it…?

Happy Independence Day.

Unapologetically Outspoken,

Tara