Message on the Observance of Independence Day, 1981

[Vin]

Today, all over America, families and friends are reuniting to renew ties, enjoy each other's company, and celebrate our Nation's birthday. It is a day when liberty and laughter go hand-in-hand -- when we can acknowledge that, oh yes, we have our faults, and lots of problems, too, but we're happy and proud because we're free, and we know the best of America is yet to be.

If you close your eyes and try to picture our country, chances are the first thing you'll see is your own hometown. I always see mine, Dixon and Tampico in Illinois. Today it is the hometowns of America, both big and small, that remind us what a diverse yet united country we are. Each in its own special way will carry out a wish expressed by one of the Founding Fathers 205 years ago.

Back in 1776, John Adams wrote his wife Abigail that the anniversary of our independence should be observed with great fanfare: ``. . . with pomp and parades . . . shows and games . . . and sports and guns and bells . . . with bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, and from this time forevermore.''

Well, Mr. Adams, rest assured that what you wanted is being done. Your traditions are now ours, and we guard them like national treasures. And you know why. When we unfurl our flags, strike up the bands, and light up the skies each July 4th, we celebrate the most exciting, ongoing adventure in human freedom the world has ever known.

It began in 1620 when a group of courageous families braved a mighty ocean to build a new future in a new world. They came not for material gain, but to secure liberty for their souls within a community bound by laws.

A century-and-a-half later, their descendants pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to found this Nation. Some would forfeit their fortunes and their lives, but none sacrificed honor.

Thomas Jefferson wrote that on that day of America's birth, in the little hall in Philadelphia, debate raged for hours, but the issue remained in doubt. These were honorable men; still, to sign a Declaration of Independence seemed such an irretrievable act that the walls resounded with cries of ``treason'' and ``the headsman's axe.''

Then, it is said, one unknown man rose to speak. He was neither young, nor strong in voice; yet, he spoke with such conviction that he mesmerized the hall. He cited the grievances that had brought them to this moment. Then, his voice failing, he said: ``They may turn every tree into a gallows, every hole into a grave, and yet the words of that parchment can never die. To the mechanic in the workshop, they will speak hope, to the slave in the mines, freedom. Sign that parchment. Sign if the next moment the noose is around your neck, for that parchment will be the textbook of freedom, the bible of the rights of man forever.'' And sign they did.

What makes our revolution unique and so exciting, then, is that it changed the very concept of government. Here was a new nation telling the world that it was conceived in liberty; that all men are created equal with God-given rights, and that power ultimately resides in ``We the people.''

We sometimes forget this great truth, and we never should, because putting people first has always been America's secret weapon. It's the way we've kept the spirit of our revolution alive -- a spirit that drives us to dream and dare, and take great risks for a greater good. It's the spirit of Fulton and Ford, the Wright brothers and Lindbergh, and of all our astronauts. It's the spirit of Joe Louis, Babe Ruth, and a million others who may have been born poor, but who would not be denied their day in the Sun.

Well, I'm convinced that we're getting that spirit back. The Nation is pulling together. We're looking to the future with new hope and confidence -- and we know we can make America great again by putting the destiny of this Nation back in the hands of the people. And why shouldn't we? Because, after all, we are Americans.

As Dwight Eisenhower once said: ``There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure.''

He was right. If we just stick together, and remain true to our ideals, we can be sure that America's greatest days lie ahead.

Happy Fourth of July!

--Ronald Reagan

 

[Vance Wood]

Great Speech. Ronald Reagan also said that our Republic and our Freedom could be lost in a single generation. If you love your country you should pay attention to what is going on. If you consider this politics then so biet.

 

[wlambeth]

Vance no worries, if we the people don't extricate the communists from our government and society we are doomed. This document which embodies everything that has made this country great will be written out of history if we don't stand up and fight for it.

 

[A Random User]

Blah blah blah...
Funny, how everything is un American when someone does not like something.
In a communist state you are not even given the luxury to not like something.
So seeing that the last two posts have posed opposition to the current state of affairs, it seems like democracy is working just fine. Thank you!

Was watching a very interesting documentary last night for the 4th on immigrants going through the whole process of becoming Americans and everyone of them said they felt Americans didn't realize how great they had it, compared to where they have come from. So true...
We are totally sheltered from the reality of true hardship in this country and we should be thankful! This is how I spent my fourth of July, realizing just how nice it is that I have clean water to drink, clean air to breathe and i don't have to live my life under fear of whether or not I will live past breakfast due to the color of my skin, my religion, or lack thereof. .. or a bomb being dropped on my house. And I thank all of those folks who have come before me, who wanted a better life for their children and the future, because they believed in a dream that all people should have to answer to no one for who they are.

 

[Vance Wood]

And yet----there are numbers of our own brothers and sisters that want to tear it down and view it as evil and oppressive. For what it's worth Reagan was right. Our freedom is only one gerneration at a time, one generation can destroy it.

 

[A Random User]

Yeah, I don't get the view of the right wing tea party folks either... and don't understand why or how you can be a patriot, yet try and tear it down and view the whole system that has allowed them to be able to actually voice their beliefs and their opinions, as being evil and oppressive. Perhaps they need a reality check?

 

[coh]

Figured the dinosaurs would eventually find this thread. Take an uplifting, pro-American speech and turn it into partisan crap. Good job.

 

[Vance Wood]

Yeup! I just don't understand how the left can possible think they have a monopoly on patriotism. The list is long that proves otherwise.

 

[qwade]

Funny, how everything is un American when someone does not like something.
In a communist state you are not even given the luxury to not like something.

Not true . In a communist country you are not allowed to voice you opinion to not liking something. Here in the USA (and on Bnut); you are allowed. So I would agree with you. Democracy is in action in the above 2 post. Unfortunately probably not inline with your views.

However, I would disagree with your statement ' everything is un American when someone does not like something' . No, these statements are usually from a True American, standing up for the same Ideals our forefathers fought for.

 

[Vance Wood]

Not true . In a communist country you are not allowed to voice you opinion to not liking something. Here in the USA (and on Bnut); you are allowed. So I would agree with you. Democracy is in action in the above 2 post. Unfortunately probably not inline with your views.

However, I would disagree with your statement ' everything is un American when someone does not like something' . No, these statements are usually from a True American, standing up for the same Ideals our forefathers fought for.

The real problem we have is also true in bonsai where sometimes we understand certain things on the basis of terminology the may not translate the same way from one place to another or from, one person to another. The term pinching comes to mind. In some places it does indeed refer to the process of pinching off new growth with the fingers. Some understand the process to involve scissors to accomplish the same goal.

The term Democracy is, as I am sure you know, not what our government is meant to be; though we tend to all think of it that way. Our government is supposed to be a Republic; a representative Democracy under a Republic. You have to be careful with the word Democracy. Democracy is nothing more than mob rule, a system where the most people agreeing to the same thing can in essence lord things over on you or me or anybody and can take your property or your life. You have a swimming pool and every body else in the neighborhood gets together and votes that you have to let the neighborhood swim in it even though you object to the decision.

The Republic, on the other hand, is made of laws the Democracy cannot infringe upon. The idea behind a Republic, and behind our government, is to limit the power of the government and it's ability to become greater than the people is is supposed to represent and defend. Every Tyranny that is or has been that is not a kingdom is a Democracy of one sort or another.

The problem today as I see it: Our form of government has worked so well for so long and everyone in the country has prospered for generations that many growing up today have not a single clue where they came, how we got here, and the price our forefathers had to pay for it. They think that it all will automatically remain as it has always been. They believe that what we have today is eternal and cannot be lost, and no one can take it from us. God bless the Hebrews but they made the same mistake twice. First got them sent into the Babylonian captivity and the second got them scattered across the world, into the nations. Sadly it may be time our freedom is tried in the crucible of fire one more time.

 

[qwade]

Yes
I get that Vance. Very good explanation.

I guess Sawgrass and myself should have used the term Freedom.

Sawgrass:

So seeing that the last two posts have posed opposition to the current state of affairs, it seems like democracy Freedom. is working just fine. Thank you!

Qwade;

Here in the USA (and on Bnut); you are allowed. So I would agree with you. democracy Freedom is in action in the above 2 post. Unfortunately probably not inline with your views.

 

[A Random User]

Not true . In a communist country you are not allowed to voice you opinion to not liking something. Here in the USA (and on Bnut); you are allowed. So I would agree with you. Democracy is in action in the above 2 post. Unfortunately probably not inline with your views.

However, I would disagree with your statement ' everything is un American when someone does not like something' . No, these statements are usually from a True American, standing up for the same Ideals our forefathers fought for.

Our fore fathers fought for a whole slew of things... and yet did not treat all men and women as equal? "True Americans" would understand that our forefathers were no more perfect than ourselves... that the constant struggle we as Americans must face is, that all Americans are "True Americans" whether or not you like or support their cause. This was their dream, and ours as a country... that no man shall hold more power over another. To say that one is a "truer American" than another, is to put one American at a higher standing than another, which then would fly in the face of what our whole system is based upon.
In essence you are then saying some are not equal and are not really Americans?
Right?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Yeah, I don't get the view of the right wing tea party folks either... and don't understand why or how you can be a patriot, yet try and tear it down and view the whole system that has allowed them to be able to actually voice their beliefs and their opinions, as being evil and oppressive. Perhaps they need a reality check?

Here's a reality check for you. Read...and really read to understand...the Declaration of Independence. It's funny that the tyrannical government our forefathers rebelled against is what we're gladly shackling ourselves to now. As long as people believe that rights come from the government, we'll continue to allow the government to take them away.

 

[A Random User]

Here's a reality check for you. Read...and really read...the Declaration of Independence.

Here' s one for you!
I have read it. You don't know me or anything about me, yet you just assume because I hold a difference of views that some how you are of higher standing when it comes to knowledge of what are country was based upon.
Just laughable!!!

 

[qwade]

Our fore fathers fought for a whole slew of things... and yet did not treat all men and women as equal? "True Americans" would understand that our forefathers were no more perfect than ourselves... that the constant struggle we as Americans must face is, that all Americans are "True Americans" whether or not you like or support their cause. This was their dream, and ours as a country... that no man shall hold more power over another. To say that one is a "truer American" than another, is to put one American at a higher standing than another, which then would fly in the face of what our whole system is based upon.
In essence you are then saying some are not equal and are not really Americans?
Right?

Well ,you make a great point. Seems You make the same point about the tea party and patriotism in an above post. So as an American I will agree -----to disagree.

 

[A Random User]

Vance, you and me are always going to see things different. I don't oppose your views, in fact I encourage them. This is what being American to me is all about. That we can come together and give each other a hard time now and then, and still get back to the important things in life!

However, I am now going to bow out here, before another individual with a grudge wants to try and enlighten me, with chastising. Thanks!

 

[qwade]

Here' s one for you!
I have read it. You don't know me or anything about me, yet you just assume because I hold a difference of views that some how you are of higher standing when it comes to knowledge of what are country was based upon.
Just laughable!!!

I don't think he was assuming that at all.

 

[A Random User]

Well ,you make a great point. Seems You make the same point about the tea party and patriotism in an above post. So as an American I will agree -----to disagree.

I only made the point that Vance was making... he is the one that said some are trying to tear things down. I only agreed with him on his level.
Just because someone views opposition to what you believe is a true american, does not make them any less of an American. And does not really mean they are necessarily trying to tear stuff down. Perhaps they just as we do have a difference of opinion on what should be done.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

For fun, here is the list of grievances made against King George. Forget which side of the aisle you're on. I see many parallels in how we've allowed our government to behave in the last 20 years. It's our own fault.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

 

[qwade]

I only made the point that Vance was making... he is the one that said some are trying to tear things down. I only agreed with him on his level.
Just because someone views opposition to what you believe is a true american, does not make them any less of an American. And does not really mean they are necessarily trying to tear stuff down. Perhaps they just as we do have a difference of opinion on what should be done.

Exactly, but they may view, your view, as 'tearing things down '.