Freedom - A History

Freedom - such an incredible concept. A word that inspires, motivates, excites, even promotes sacrifice to the ultimate. The decision to break free from England was not without soul searching, heart wrenching, second and third thoughts, and yes, blood. Because of that, this freedom is precious to us all, and will not be given up to any outside person or government. Any threat, foreign or domestic, will be faced, and God willing, defeated.

Freedom, however, is not free. With great freedom comes great responsibility. Freedom without responsibility results in chaos. Freedom of speech without responsibility results in lies spread as truth, and hatred of another because of race, sex or creed becomes a "right". Freedom of assembly without responsibility becomes mob rule, with violence, injury, even death, a natural outcome. Freedom to bear arms, without responsibility, will create a vigilante society, in which all, in order to defend against irrational men, BECOME irrational men.

In 1776, a group of men gathered together and signed a document written by Thomas Jefferson, declaring their independence from England and their freedom to enjoy their God given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thirteen independent, sovereign states (read countries), united as one to become free. Problems soon started rising out of this "confederation" of states however, as each state had its own militia, each had its own trade and tariffs, each even had its own separate monies The alliance, held together by some loosely binding "Articles of Confederation" was in danger of falling apart. (Sound familiar - EU?) There was a need to create a new government, binding the colonies together as a republic, and overseeing them all, to ensure the preservation of this new union.

This was not achieved without much turmoil. These individual states would not give up their sovereign status without a fight. In order to agree to form as a union under federal control, certain rights had to be guaranteed, to insure no loss of the freedoms they had just won, no chance they were just trading one tyranny for another. Many states refused to sign this Constitution unless those freedoms were in writing. Even then, they could not all agree on what should be listed, wanting to be sure no state had more power than another.

Finally, after much debate, consultation and compromise, a set of 10 amendments, a "Bill of Rights", was drafted, and agreed to. The importance of these rights cannot be over estimated, becoming the first 10 amendments of this great blueprint of a new government. A Constitution for the United States of America.

Those freedoms are possible because of the strength of the government enforcing them. That government is strong because of the laws, fairly administered, in the articles that follow those rights. They were forged in turbulent times, creating a living document that can and must be adaptable to each generation, in order to preserve the freedoms it protects.

We are once again in turbulent times. It is time for rational men and women to discuss, to argue, to compromise, to find adaptable frameworks to ensure the freedoms we enjoy. Only by finding common ground, and standing together, will we ensure these freedoms for the next generation. To do so will require respect, even in disagreement. It will require solidarity as Americans, not political parity. It will come with turmoil, and conflict and passion. Passion with a fire that will forge a strength to last another 240 years, and more. Happy Birthday America. May God bless you.