Happy 232nd Birthday, America!

Congratulations, America, on achieving your 232nd birthday!

In 1776, Colonial America was considered a foolish upstart whose goal of freedom and independence from mother country England would never be attained. The rest of the world certainly never thought America --as a country-- if achieved at all, would last long. 

Our American ancestors had a dream of Liberty and Independence for the United States of America. Their dream was to create a new way of life--Freedom--in a new country, unlike anything that previously had existed in the world.   

Facing seemingly insurmountable odds, those Colonial Americans never gave up on their dreams and did all within their power to make their dreams reality. They had Faith, Hope, and Courage that seemingly impossible things could be accomplished.

 We Americans of today can take a page from those early American country-makers to overcome our current problems. We can continually strive to make the world a better place for ourselves, our descendents, and the rest of the world.   

History tells us the way to peace and prosperity in a country like ours is really fairly simple:  Make good laws, follow the laws, and do the right thing. So many of our troubles--as a people and as a country-- stem from someone not following the law and failing to do the right thing. 

I believe those Colonial Americans would whole-heartedly approve of those who have the courage to speak out against injustice and fight for what is right, just as they themselves did 232 years ago. As a result of their bravery, the impossible was accomplished, and that upstart-- the United States of America-- flourished and became the greatest country on Earth.  

One of the lessons of every Fourth of July--America's Birthday--Independence Day--is that, no matter the circumstances, we--- as Americans,  unique and special folks in this unique and special country---still strive to make good laws, follow those good laws, and do the right thing. 

One of the best strengths of the greatness of America is our ability to be one country, in spite of our many differences. United we stood Long Ago, before we were a country. United we stood as a country in the Past. United we stand as a country Today. United we will stand as a country through the Ages.

Happy Birthday, America! I wish you many, many more!