As we head into the Holiday weekend, I reflect on parts of the Declaration of Independence, especially the sentence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The statement that “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights” is so true.
I agree with “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” but would also add hope, faith and love.
I think of the many immigrants who have come to this country including my family. Never once when the family became U.S. citizens did they assume that there would be government handouts. They worked 2 or 3 jobs to float the family, buy a house, pay for education and retire. They worked diligently to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They worked hard so on Sabbath they rested.
Never once did they think the Government owed them. Never once did they think the Government would take care of them and their needs. It seems like in the last several generations that the philosophy of working hard, being self-reliant and a good citizen has been diluted.
Somewhere along the way, reliance on the government has become a way of life for a few. Those few individuals then manipulate the system so that living off the government becomes a way of life for them and future generations of their families. These individuals think nothing of the responsibility of being a U.S. citizen. It makes me think how dependent these individuals are and if they really understand the meaning of being independent.
For it is this weekend, that we celebrate Independence Day. We celebrate with picnics and fireworks. We fly our flags and feel free because ultimately we are U.S. citizens. Ultimately most of us take on that responsibility and wear it with honor.
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