July 4, 2026, Issue 29

Happy 250th Birthday USA!

On this July 4th I hope my readers will indulge me the moment to write about our adopted country of 8 years. The United States of America has changed dramatically over these 8 years, although certainly not as dramatically as the changes that occurred over the 242 years prior to our arrival.

On July 4th of 1776, 13 colonies made up the United States. That day they declared their independence from Great Britain with the aptly named Declaration of Independence. This document was authored by a group of men, but let’s be honest, it was all Thomas Jefferson. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin contributed along with a couple of other dudes that nobody remembers.

The Declaration of Independence was way ahead of its time. It is also where we can still look to see the greatness of America, even as the nation seems to be slipping into an abyss driven by partisan politics. When you strip the grievances against King George III, here is what it’s all about for those who don’t know or don’t remember: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”. Let’s drink that in. Now I know that in 1776 they didn’t really mean ALL men, nor for that matter did they mean women. But still, this was a very modern thought for that moment in time, so stick with me. This is a beautiful blueprint for the next 250 years. “That men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

How absolutely awesome are those words? We are the same, we are all equal. And we all have the right to pursue our interests, no matter what they might be. Sitting here two and half centuries later we know and understand and agree that those words apply regardless of the color of your skin, your gender, what religious beliefs you hold, or your sexual orientation. It took all these years to make the words ring true. It took a bloody civil war to end slavery, and then another hundred years to really end slavery. It took decades of protests to give women full and equal rights, and still, they fight for equal pay. But let us agree and let us agree from all sides that this country has improved, and continues to be the best place to live as we all do our utmost to pursue our own version of happiness.

They have always called this country the Great American Experiment for the last 250 years. And looking over that history, it is easy to call the experiment a success. However, like all great experiments, it is constantly in need of attention by the people who are in charge of it. In this case, it is us, the people of these United States of America. We are running into trouble, and it is plain to see the storm clouds on the horizon. When it comes to politics, the country is as divided as ever. I have witnessed family arguments that have ruined dinner parties. I have heard of siblings not talking to each other. Why? Because one has conservative leanings, and the other falls to the liberal side of the spectrum. We don’t even give ourselves the chance to hear each other. There is often no dialogue, no discussion. I’m right, you’re wrong, end of story. This is exactly the opposite of what Jefferson had in mind.

This is the perfect day to dream of togetherness. We need to stop the bickering and recognize the greatness of this American Experiment. As an outsider (perhaps until September when we can become citizens!), it is so easy to take in all the wonderful aspects of what has been built here over these 250 years. I wish everybody could see it as clearly as I do…Happy July 4th !!!

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