The 4th of July is when I think of the freedom that most Americans never cherish. The freedom we take so lightly. I think of The Declaration of Independence and the phrase, "....that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Right, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.....". I think of how our forefathers came to this country to escape religious persecution. Then, I look at what is currently occurring in society today. We have elected representatives who think their religious beliefs are the beliefs that ALL society should live by. I think they forget that religion is good for society, but it should not dictate the laws of the land. By creating laws based on religious teachings we instill discrimination. We need to ensure our laws are written so that ALL Americans can experience THEIR pursuit of happiness. As you enjoy your 4th of July, think about the rights of others and remember, their happiness is just as precious to them as your is to you. So lets respect the rights of others and enjoy life to its fullest. I wish everyone a joyous 4th of July and hope all of our soldiers serving in harm's way a safe trip home. Especially my Nephew, serving with the US Marines in Iraq.
SIncerely,
Bob Faust