The Patriot

We aren't celebrating a day on the calendar.

“Would you tell me please, Mr Howard, why should I trade one tyrant 3000 miles away for 3000 tyrants 1 mile away?” “An elected legislature can trample a man’s rights as easily as a King can.” Benjamin Martin from The Patriot.

I had some down time yesterday and was looking through some movies that I purchased years ago and came across “The Patriot” from the year 2000.  I couldn’t believe that the movie is 23 years old.  I brushed the dust from the DVD and started watching. 

As I became immersed in this brilliant film, the first thing that struck me was just how far America has fallen.  A few nagging questions popped into my mind like, “Where are all of these kinds of men and women now when we need them so badly?”  and “If I was called to defend my beliefs about family, independence, and liberty, would I have the courage to do so?”  and “Would I be willing to die for those principles like our forefathers did?”

I was struck by how incredibly violent and bloody this film is.  Then I remembered that liberty and independence is violent and bloody.  Even if there isn’t an actual war, we are required to sacrifice so much that it can seem bloody and violent.  We may lose friends and family in the virtual war for independence and this can rip out our hearts in ways that a bayonet cannot.  I’m betting that almost everyone reading this post can look at the last 3 plus years and relate to this statement in one way or another. 

Another sentiment popped into mind while watching this film: “What are we celebrating on July 4^th every year?”   As I listen to podcasts and “freedom-oriented” media, the one thing I hear consistently every year at this time is, “Have a great 4^th of July!”   Um… so I’m supposed to have a good day on the calendar?  To me, this does not mean anything more than if I was to tell someone to have a great May 3^rd or “have an excellent October 4^th”, or “Enjoy your long June 7^th weekend everyone!”  

July 4^th is the day we celebrate our Independence from tyrants. It’s Independence Day!  It’s the day we are supposed to celebrate having (supposedly) a government of, by, and for the people.  The Declaration of Independence is much more important than the “Constitution” and all of it’s many amendments.   The Constitution is rarely followed, is constantly being “interpreted,” and there is no mechanism to hold politicians accountable when they ignore it. 

The Declaration of Independence, however, is a big middle finger to Kings, Tyrants, Politicians, and anyone who would dare to go against the people.  If you’ve never read it (I’ve included the hyperlinks to it so you don’t even have to search for it), it’s very short, easy to understand and *shocking* when you see that all of the things being done by a tyrant generations ago are being done again right now, only this time, by our own government!  And we are ignorant of it all. 

Those who fought, bled and died for the principle of Independence are spinning in their graves right now. 

When you ooo and aaahhh over fireworks this year on “July 4^th”, take a moment to remember that what those fireworks represent is the incredible sacrifices that real men and women made to give us a chance.  A chance to live in a country that is free.  Where people could pursue their interests and dreams without a tyrant telling them where they can live, who they can associate with, what medicines they “have” to take, what food they can eat, whether they can travel or not, what kind of home they can live in, what kind of family they can have, where and how we can spend our hard earned money, and so on and so forth.

We aren’t celebrating a day on the calendar.  We are celebrating the sacrifices that people made on our behalf.  Many of the men and women (women in supporting rolls) that fought for what we are *supposed* to have right now, knew that if they went to the battle field it would be their last day on earth.  They were terrified, but they did it anyway because they cared about something greater than their own lives.  They were fighting for their posterity, for the future of their children and grandchildren. They were fighting for us! 

If we could only try to muster even a fraction of the courage these people had, we could change the world.  Again.

Have an incredible Independence Day this year.  And like I always say, practice your independence.  Live your independence.  Don’t *ever* let anyone, any government, any politician, any institution or corporation take it away from you.  Once you do, you’ve lost it for good.  And we are on that treacherous path right now.

“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace.  We ask not your counsels or arms.  Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.  May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”  Samuel Adams