Happy 4th of July, America!
It’s Independence Day here in the U.S., and here’s a quick reminder of an important concept: Real patriots are those who uphold America’s core values.
OK, so what are these values, exactly? Well, at a minimum they include:
• Democracy, i.e., the voice of “We The People,” as opposed to political favors purchased by the super-rich and big corporations–an egalitarian economic playing field that doesn’t favor the wealthy and powerful over those less affluent.
• A justice system that provides equal protection for all people.
• Tolerance and inclusion of others—even those who don’t look like you, speak like you, or fall in love like you.
• Conservation of our precious natural resources and the quality of our beautiful environment. (Check this out.)
• Humane treatment of all prisoners, both domestically and abroad.
• Non-intervention into the affairs of other countries that are not attacking the U.S.
• The use of diplomacy, rather than war, in addressing international disputes. One may argue that we have always been a war-like country, and that this is actually not an American value. But shouldn’t it be? Remember the words of John F. Kennedy: “Mankind must put an end to war–or war will put an end to mankind.”
Today, let’s celebrate true patriotism, i.e., the support of what we actually stand for as a nation. We have truly great values; now it’s time to let them shine, here and around the world.
Hi Craig,
Best wishes,
Larry
Thanks, Larry. Enjoy the 4th.
A friend from Bermuda writes:
Thank you as always for the articles and comments. I wish for you and your family the greatest that the US has to offer….and indeed what the world has to offer…the solutions are in hand…it is the battles with vested interest and power that we simply have to continue to wage…one solar panel at a time, one gallon less of oil dependency ……and the hearts and minds of those who simply either don’t know or opt out with the path of least resistance and go with the status quo because it works!
One day I will turn up in my EV or FC vehicle… with ease and comfort…it will happen…my weakness is that it maybe a Porshce or Benz…..I like comfort!!!
Craig,
Your friend could buy a Tesla today ! The Tesla is just as comfortable as a Mercedes, faster than a Porsche and best of all, made in the USA
sadly this country is moving from democracy to Plutocracy as the rich has been manipulating the tax code for the past 50 years and now there trying to control elections
Yep. Fortunately, there is a significant “We the People” campaigned that is gaining momentum, whose purpose is getting the money out of politics.
Whatever your interpretation of American core values, best wishes to the American people on Independence Day.
Well said, Craig!
The We the People of the United States enjoy much that needs vigilant defense and protection.
Now as through history, the greatest threat to our national security is here at home – currently (and for a long time) it’s the very flood of bribery capital that has taken our state and national capitols by storm.
The words of Abraham Lincoln illuminate the danger of inaction against the fixated and methodical army of corporate lobbyists – 11,000 strong and pouring out bribery at an average of $6 million per congressperson in 2009 alone…
“At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
Good government is the only hope that We the People have to defend our Public Commons and advance our Common Good. Market forces have demonstrated their failures in this regard. Good government won’t come from people who hate government.
Want improvement? Ban bribery in all its forms. That’s the most important and central issue that controls all others. I’m grateful to see that more and more of us here in the US and across the globe are realizing – and organizing against – that threat.
As long as cash reigns over our nation as king, we’ll more and more be enslaved to vicious greed and craven cowardice.
American police should also give special attention to dying countries at infancy, like South Sudan. Spell-over effects of the American policies have also contributed to the instability of this newly born Nations which luck care.
Craig and others I trust everyone enjoined what ever the $th of July means to them in their own way.
Cameroon’s and Magnusfi comments are close to my sentiments. Well said men.
And because I see and believe our Nation has strayed far away from its Founding principles I don’t celebrate the 4 th the way most people do. I actually call it our Faux Patriotic Day and a Big Cover Up for the growing plutocratic seizure of our Commons, Economy , Opportunity and Freedoms taken away etc. Its just another commercialized and over hyped day now.
I have many colleagues who see and feel the same from many different walks of life and levels
But for others knock yourself out get further distracted from reality.!@
My 4th of July Motto is
Everyone has the Right to Pretend to the End