Saturday, July 2, 2011

Celebrate! It's Independence Day!

        Amid all the fireworks, parades, picnics, and other outdoor fun that we associate with our Fourth of July, it's good to look back at some of the patriots that worked so hard to get us here.  Two of my favorites, John  Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were diligent in their work to create the framework of our young country in a way that it would set a precedent for others. 

        When I was researching Abigail Adams before starting on a replica of her, I was astonished to read in her biography the letters that she exchanged with her husband.  He admired her intellect and was quite open in sharing with her the great depth of thought that went into every word and phrase that was used in the documents of our country.
        The founding fathers labored to frame each part of these documents so that they would stand forever...it behooves us to remind ourselves (and our children) of what they stood for and what they believed in...it gave us the freedoms we enjoy today!  May we always protect these freedoms!  These words come from two of my "heroes:"

John Adams:

                   But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

                  Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.

                  Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

                  The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing.


Thomas Jefferson:

                  The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
              
                   It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes.  A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
             
                   I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.


                  To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.


      Let's take some time to reflect on the words of those who well understood the pitfalls on the road ahead.  Their words ring as true today as they did over 200 years ago.

      Let's take some time also to thank and say a prayer for all those in the military who put their lives on the line each day, who also believe in those words, and stand tall...for all of us! 


                                                              GOD BLESS AMERICA!



     

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