Independence Day

“…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among them are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”


Two hundred thirty-two years ago, a group of common, yet extraordinary men – businessmen, farmers, lawyers, doctors – conceived a nation founded on the principles of liberty for all its citizens and declared their independence, creating a country with a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Ours is a land of boundless opportunity, allowing each of us to be who and what we want to be. We are limited by only our own motivation to learn and invent and create that which our minds and hearts can imagine. It is a land where no setback is permanent – despite the constant barrage found in the newspaper headlines, cable TV news tickers, and innumerable Internet blogs. Second chances abound.

This country isn’t perfect – what country is? Our leaders are not – and have never been – infallible. What human being is? Yet only in a place such as the United States of America, can citizens determine whether they approve of the work their leaders and decision-makers are doing on their behalf and replace them as necessary, in a peaceful and organized transfer of power.

This is – and always has been – the greatest nation on earth; a nation more generous than any other to its own people and to all other peoples of the earth.

On this Fourth of July, let all of us remember all that we have through the blessings of liberty – the freedom to speak and write and worship and work and live as we see fit for ourselves and our families. And let us celebrate by renewing our pledge of allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands – with liberty and justice (and fireworks and barbecue and cold beer) for all.


Scott's Official 3-Day Countdown: 77 days until Day 1