The journey from there to here

It's been suggested that our blogs should focus on the upcoming Independence Day. Sounds good, and it's definitely patriotic. But the truth is, our "Independence" is not something I feel very much like celebrating at this point. Because I'm beginning to question its existence.

"Independence" is a jingoistic term that we toss about because it is so critical to the founding of the nation, but we so rarely stop to think about what it means. But every day, with every new vote of Congress, we seem to be steering further and further from the very concept of independence.

Virtually everyone who is reading this has grown up in an America where the majority believe we need a "safety net"; something to ensure against our own failure. We insist that that safety net be provided by our government in the form of entitlements, bankruptcy laws, and other hedges to protect us against our own malfeasance. But that is an attitude of dependence, and not of independence, and it is slowly sucking our initiative and drive out of us.

As we look over the backyard fences of our neighbours, we further demand that the job our neighbours are doing raising their children is inadequate, and that they need government intervention to help them do their job properly, even as the neighbours are looking over our fences reaching the same conclusions. We're spending so much time looking over the backyard fences of others that perhaps we ARE neglecting the raising of our own children, but even as we do so, the demands we are placing on the government to oversee our neighbours' raising of their children are robbing them, and us, of independence.

We're looking at the pollution in our streams, in our air, and in our fields, and rather than taking personal initiative to eliminate the pollution, we are demanding the government enact draconian standards to enforce the pollution of others.

As our children fail to reach the high ideals we set for them, we blame the government for failing to educate them, while failing to realize that the most important part of education happens at home, where it should. This is where values are taught, and the principles of education are reinforced and no legislation, however meaningful, can replace the importance of the home. Many of us have become completely dependent on the government for the education of our children, denying the very real role that we must play.

We demand that government further protect us from offense, and hold our hands to keep us from having to make any individual decisions that might harm us. We demand our cigarettes, our movies, our video games, our music, have warning labels to protect us from irresponsible decisions.

So, Tuesday I'll wave a flag. And I will stand up as a patriot. But I will be standing up as one hoping to fight for the RESTORATION of independence rather than celebrating its existence, something I am beginning to believe is among our most widely believed myths.


Comments
on Jul 01, 2006
Though I agree with your basic premise about our country becoming a nanny state, I do think that the environmental, anti-pollution measures must be enforced. I can drive a car that gets good gas mileage. I can reduce, reuse and recycle. But there is absolutely no way I can make a business not pollute the air, water etc. I can't trust business to take the responsibility themselves without government laws and regulation. They are in business to make money. If they can save money but not worrying about their impact on the environment that's probably what they will do.
on Jul 01, 2006
I do think that the environmental, anti-pollution measures must be enforced.


There are different, better ways to do this, loca. Treat pollution as a trespass (as that is, effectively, what it is), and handle the offenders accordingly. The laws we have put into place have gone clear on to stupid, in my exceedingly arrogant opinion.
on Jul 01, 2006

Treat pollution as a trespass (as that is, effectively, what it is), and handle the offenders accordingly.

A Walter E. Williams Fan!

I liked your article.  And agree with it.  But this Independance is not from government, but from the tyranny of the Crown.  Yes, we have replaced it a lot with our own tyranny, but this is not celebrating US, but our forefathers, who in many cases sacraficed all so that we could be stupid without foreign interferance.

on Jul 01, 2006
I liked your article. And agree with it. But this Independance is not from government, but from the tyranny of the Crown.


Actually, I agree. And that is one of the two reasons my concluding paragraph changed drastically. I was originally going to post that I was going to wave the flag as a lament to the liberties we have lost, but I realized that not only would that not recognize that we are celebrating our liberty from the crown, but, further, that that is falling into the same trap of dependence that I am decrying in the article...by declaring that somehow government must restore these liberties and that I am helpless to do so.
on Jul 01, 2006
A Walter E. Williams Fan!


Yes, and I must meet this man at some point. He is one of the bright, great hopes for our future...too bad more Americans don't know of him!
on Jul 01, 2006
Yes, and I must meet this man at some point. He is one of the bright, great hopes for our future...too bad more Americans don't know of him!


I have one on you. I met him as a senior in College when he debated at my University. That was many moons ago, but then he has not tried to hide his age, nor have I!

He is still my hero (he toasted the opposition!).