Tomorrow is July 4th. Recently I’ve been thinking about what must’ve taken place almost 250 years ago. How much was our nation divided then? I had heard once that we were probably split- 1/3 for Independence, 1/3 for King George and 1/3 who didn’t care. Are things really that much different today?

As a kid, I loved anything about the Revolutionary War. Most likely it was a due to a number of factors: the Bicentennial, my parents loved history and we visited many historical sites, we lived and vacationed in areas where we had easy access to places of colonial historical events. On reflection, it all was told in a simple, these are the heroes (us) and these are the villains (them) version. Our rebellion was perfectly logical and reasonable- we were exercising our rights as English subjects and when that was not recognized we fought for the freedom of self-governance.

But as I have gotten older, I realized that there are many stories and facets to our Independence. There were/are many opinions. Of course, independence only went so far. Most indigenous people and people of color, they did not have any voice. Would things be different today if they had been given a voice? I guess, we will never know.

I sometimes wonder what would I have done during those turbulent times? Would I, on the eve of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, been ready to sign? Would I have been so passionate about self-governance that I would be willing to risk everything- my family, my position, my life? Would I have stood up for those who had no voice? Would that have even been in my thought process?

Living as a colonial woman, would I have even been aware of the discussions and arguments from the Continental Congress? Would I have engaged in discussions with my neighbors or would I have been apathetic about the stamp act and the defiant acts by the New Englanders? Would I have helped the soldiers? On either side, if they were in need? Would I only care about tending to my family and their needs?

Would I have been like my direct ancestors who fought for freedom or would I have been like one side of the family who supported King George and moved to Canada?

What about you? On this eve of Independence, have you ever wondered about the decisions our founding fathers and mothers made those many years ago? How would you have fared had you lived then?

May this 4th of July be a day of national reflection on what it means to be an American. May we reflect on the brave individuals and the sacrifices that have been made over these almost 250 years. For whatever our current differences may be, we all are blessed to live in a country where we do have the freedom for self-governance.

Happy 4th of July! Today is Independence Day. The day when our forefathers said enough to oppression and opted to risk overthrowing what was known for an experiment that guaranteed freedom for all. (Sadly, still working on that). They declared their independence from a sovereign nation which determined what they did and said.

I think when we ask for independence we need to remember that independence demands responsibility. I believe our forefathers understood that concept. While they may have had differences of opinion about the logistics of the democratic republic experiment they demonstrated through actions the understanding that there are two sides of the idea of freedom.

In order to have independence, one has to be responsible. As a child grows and matures, he wants to begin doing things himself. That is natural and healthy. But part of the growing up process is realizing that one is not the center of the universe. A child also has to begin realizing that nothing happens in a vacuum: what one person decides to do affects another. His actions will cause an action for someone else. For example, I might want to drive my car wherever I want but I have to be responsible for following the rules of the road or there will be major accidents. I can have the freedom of driving but I have to balance my independence with responsibility.

It is through responsibility of thinking of others that the action of independence can occur. It is the responsibility of our leaders and our citizens to think. If not, chaos can ensue.

I believe our current leaders have forgotten that they are responsible for all the citizens in the country, not just the ones that give them adoration. What is the greater good beyond the vote? Is it only economic gain for the ones who have voted for you? The leaders have to remind themselves that they represent an independent and responsible nation. Just because they have been elected into an office by a certain majority of individuals, they have to be adult and think of all citizens as they make rules, laws and policies.

As citizens we are responsible for critical thinking of what is happening in our government. We cannot abdicate our responsibility of thinking. If we do, then those who are leaders can interfere and interject their thoughts, ideas, decisions on the non-thinking public. When we are not thinking responsibly, we abdicate our right to have an informed opinion. No longer are we free in our governing experiment. We are responsible when we listen, question, vote, discuss, argue, and agree to disagree. We are not responsible when we bully, shout, dismiss, or demand that the opposition do exactly as we say or else greater retribution.

I think Thomas Jefferson understood the tension of government and people with his above quote. Just like the tension between independence and responsibility we have to constantly adjust and reflect on the size of government and how much we expect the government to do versus the things that we can do.

So, Happy 4th of July. It is a wonderful time and a great celebration. While our great American experiment has its rocky moments, I wouldn't trade living here under its messy, difficult governance with any other place.