OK, its an old joke, but if we think about what ObiWan and Co believed about the Force and just what Independence Day means to each of us here in the US we might see some similarities.
With all the people having breakdowns over practically everything one might say that the true meaning of the Fourth is lost. But is it?
With all the words being spoken and demonstrations taking place, one would think that this is a horrible place to live. However, the wisdom of the Declaration of Independence signed on the Fourth of July in 1776 and the Constitution the followed in 1787 provides the protections for those speakers and demonstrators so they can do and say pretty much as they will. As long as they respect the property of others.
When Vice President Elect Pence attended the hit Broadway Play Hamilton with his daughter and her cousins and were greeted with a few boos and cheers, he leaned down to her and said “that’s what freedom sounds like.”
The founding documents, the Declaration and the Constitution, are imperfect. They were designed with checks and balances in mind. If a president oversteps his mandate, then congress is a check on him or her. The courts check the congress. If we don’t like a part of the constitution, we can amend it. It’s a difficult task, but it can be done, and has been done 27 times.
President Obama said that elections have consequences. If you don’t like the outcome of an election, then win the next one. The pendulum that is politics in America has been swinging back and forth for the past two and a half centuries. And as much as half the country make not like it, it will swing again.
Those of us who have been around through a number of those swings know this is true. Those that think this decision or that is the “end of the world as we know it” don’t read their history well.
This Fourth of July, take a deep breath, let the good food, drink, fireworks, and friendship permeate and wash over the concerns we hear daily.
When you hear the jabber jabber from all sides, and you will, just remember, we are hearing the sound of freedom.
May the Fourth be with you, always.
JVH
