July 4th, 2018

Today we celebrate July 4th.  On this day, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.  To be clear, the signing of the Declaration of Independence started on Aug 2 of the year before.  This wasn't hashed out over a weekend at Ben's house (that would be Ben Franklin for those without any historical knowledge).

All 13 colonies were represented in Philidelphia.  There were 56 representatives in all.  14 were from New England.  21 were from the middle colonies.  And 21 from the Southern colonies.  When they signed their names, they became traitors to the British crown.  And, a price was on their heads.

They ranged in age from 26 to 70 (that would be Ben). Half of the signers were lawyers.  The balance was made up of farmers, merchants, those engaged in shipping/trading.  And together they pledged "to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

None of the signers died at the hands of the British.  Four were captured, but survived.  And, they were all poorer after the war.

Out of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 came the United States Constitution.  This document, and the accompanying Bill of Rights, formed the foundation of our government.  At the close of this convention, a Mrs. Powell asked Ben Franklin, "Well Doctor, what have we got?  A republic or a monarchy?"   Franklin answered immediately, "A republic, if you can keep it."

It isn't a democracy.  This is critically important to understand.  Under a strict democracy, 10 people can vote and tell 9 people what they have to do.  With a republic, there are foundational laws (the Constitution) that limits the power of the government, of those "in charge" to clearly defined roles.  And, this is important, the individual is the most important entity.  The entire United States Constitution is driven around the following points:

• The freedom of the individual is paramount.
• An individual has the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.  It doesn't mean they will get it.  But, they can pursue their own lives.
• Government, especially the Federal government, should be strictly limited.   Remember, the framers of the constitution had lived under monarchies where everyone was subservient to the crown.  There were no individual rights.   The state had all the power.
• For that reason, the Constitution broke up the government into 3 equal players.
• The Legislative Branch:  Charged with making laws
• The Executive Branch:  Charged with enforcing laws
• The Judicial Branch:  Charged with ensuring the rule of law and the constitution are not violated.
• With this division, no branch of government should be able to control the others.
• Finally, the Bill of Rights, were established as the ground floor of what individuals were entitled to....because they were citizens of the United States.  This document is as radical today as it was then.  Every single "right" was founded due to the framers historical experiences.  There is a reason for those rights.  They saw the abuses of the totalitarian government.   
• The framers created a way to modify the constitution.   It is clearly spelled out.   Rights can be added...or removed....just follow the method outlined.   But, it is designed to not be easy.  Nor should it be.  Tampering with the Constitution is serious business.
• Finally, and this is sort of my baseline for understanding the Constitution and Bill of Rights:  the Bill of Rights were designed to protect the people from the government.   That is the reason we have freedom of speech and the right to keep and bear arms.  The framers of the constitution recognized both rights as critical to support the rights of the individual.

The last 100 years or so have brought significant change to our country.  

• The power of the Executive branch has increased.
• The Judiciary has become more reactionary and interested in legislating by judicial rulings. 
• The legislative branch has become a laughing stock where Congressional members are massively mistrusted. 
• We have lost much in the fight for freedom of speech.  The US should rank #1 in the world.  But, in the last assessment I saw, we were about 19th.  
• Our communications are secretly monitored by many branches of government.  
• There is a concerted push to repeal the second amendment.  It seems strange to me that I can lawfully carry a firearm in my state.  But, if I drive to Illinois, Maryland, New York, I can be imprisoned.  I am legal in this state.  If I cross into another state, I am a felon.  This is not freedom.   This does not support the second amendment. This movement must be resisted. And yes, I believe the entire structure of the US is at stake in this fight.   Once we give this right up, any of the others can fail.

Well, I have rambled on much more than I usually do. There are others far more eloquent than I am about these issues.  So, I will leave them to further carry on what I have expressed.

So today:

• If you don't know why we celebrate July 4th, do some simple research.
• If you don't know what Bunker Hill was, do some simple research.   
• If you don't know what the "shot heard round the world" is, do some research.