Dear Kids,

Today we celebrate the 4th of July.

Labeled as such, Americans give little thought to this most important of holidays, except where it falls on the calendar, and if it means another Monday off from work (or at least away from the office.)

But for the rest of the world, today marks the 240th Anniversary of the American Revolution. And while we take it for granted, the rest of humanity recognizes it with far greater significance. It was the catalyst that returned government to the people in much of what we consider the civilized world. For the rest, it remains a hope for the future.

Two hundred and forty years ago today, fifty-six of the greatest thinkers in all of history, set aside their differences, personal biases, and agendas, for the greater common good, to sign the Declaration of Independence, deciding that the American continent would be ruled by a democracy, where all men and women are created equal, and not by monarchs, kings, dictators, despots, or theologians.

It would take another 13 years for the original States to ratify a Federal Constitution, a process that was no doubt full of debate and compromise, something sadly lacking in today’s politics. But when it was ratified, it included not only the framework of a government with checks and balances, but 10 Amendments – the Bill of Rights – which guarantee all American’s the broadest freedoms and liberties anywhere in recorded history.

Among those are the freedom of speech and religion (1st Amendment) which gives us the right to have and share our own ideas and reciprocally be tolerant of those from whom we differ. It also gives us the right to own guns (2nd Amendment). With great freedom comes great responsibility, and it is implicit our individual rights must stop short of infringing on those of others.

I implore you now, to be careful not to fall for the dogma of the demagogues who would lead you to believe the challenges facing this Country today are caused by people who are different than you.

None of this country’s larger issues are caused by the Mexicans or Muslims, the Blacks, the Jews, the Rednecks, or the Italians, straights or gays or transgenders, the rich, nor the poor, nor the potheads. Not even the Catholics.

However, there are two groups which can and should be held accountable for this Country’s woes. They would be the Republicans and the Democrats, and particular those who hold seats in the United States Congress.

Consider a Congress that refuses to debate practical gun control legislation, which in no way infringes on the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens, forcing minority law makers to stage sit-ins like hippies. Is this a first world democracy or a Jerry Springer show?

Consider the same Congress, hell bent on the constitutionality of gun ownership, but will not confirm a Supreme Court Justice, effectively paralyzing the third branch of government. The one that protects us, the people, from the other two.

Consider the same Congress that protects the rights of terrorists to bear arms, but does not think a woman can make the very personal choice on abortion. And then will not step up to provide funding to take care of unwanted impoverished children.

Consider the same Congress, still waving the Constitution for the gun lobby, while imposing federalism, and trampling on States’ rights on everything from education, to healthcare, to the legalization of marijuana.

“It’s not the gays, stupid.”

What would we like to see from government this election year?

For starters, statesmanship based on the attributes of our forefathers: respect, tolerance, and compromise. We would like to see less government, not more. We would like to have a government that doesn’t presume it holds the high moral ground. We would like to see leadership, not rhetoric, in foreign policy as well as at home. We would like to see a plan for combating terrorism, here and around the world. We would like National energy, agricultural, transportation, and immigration plans, and an economic policy based on proven strategies, not hollow promises and unfettered spending.

Today marks the 240th Anniversary of the American Revolution.

Celebrate it for what it is, not what it isn’t.

Love, Dad.