Independence Day is not just the 4th of July, it should be everyday.

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scare man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot."

Remember that this day is only celebrated because approx. 1/3 of early Americans were brave enough to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in order to fight tyranny so they may be free to live and allowed to pursue liberty and happiness.

Back then there was no fighting over a debt ceiling, they simply knew they could not spend more then they could pay.

There was no argument over who our military should support, we needed to grow a military in order to gain our own freedom.

There was no expectation that the government was going to take care of anyone, everyone took care of themselves and their families.

There was no war on drugs.

There was no pledge of allegiance, only a love of God and freedom.

We choose leaders who had principles and a solid reputation, even if they didn't agree with them on everything, they would hold true to their word.

As you enjoy your day think about how different it was when life was more simple. When all people expected from the government was to be left alone to live their lives in peace.

Here is an excerpt from a Calvin Coolidge speech given on July 4th in 1926. Can you imagine an American president today giving this speech?

"It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers."

Happy Independence Day.

Cheers,

Mike