When Will We Have Another Independence Day?

Is there a way to revive the revolutionary spirit?

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Another Independence Day has come and gone. People spent time with family and friends and likely ate a good helping of hot dogs and burgers. I had BBQ, personally. But in reflecting on this crucial day in American history, I couldn’t help but also consider our current and future situation in this nation under this government.

Independence Day stands as a powerful reminder of the American spirit, commemorating the unwavering determination of our forefathers to cast off the chains of tyranny and establish a nation founded on freedom and individual rights. However, as we celebrate the birth of the United States, we must also confront the disheartening reality of our current situation with our government and its continued infringement upon our natural rights.

From criminalizing personal choices to stifling free speech and perpetuating horrific abuses of power, it has caused me to wonder when the time will come for us to rise against these violations of natural rights as the founders did so long ago.

Independence Day serves as a revered historical milestone when Americans valiantly stood together to liberate themselves from a government that trampled upon their rights. The birth of the United States marked a watershed moment, establishing a nation where individual freedoms and limited government were ostensibly enshrined in its very foundation.

As we celebrate our independence, it is crucial to evaluate the alarming abuses of power persisting in our present government. On July 4th, I posted a Twitter poll asking my followers which government was more tyrannical: The British against the Colonies or the U.S. government against the people.

The results were predictable. About 75% selected the U.S. government while the rest went with King George and the gang.

It’s hard to argue otherwise, isn’t it?

After all, over 350,000 individuals are still being incarcerated for the mere consumption of a plant or other substance, perpetuating an unjust system that undermines personal freedom and disproportionately affects marginalized communities.

The current system of taxation often becomes an oppressive burden, extracting exorbitant amounts from hardworking citizens, stifling economic growth, and impeding individual prosperity. In effect, our government concocts new and creative ways to steal our money while sending it to other countries every day.

Government at the federal, state, and local levels still retain the authority to steal people’s property through civil asset forfeiture, eminent domain, and home equity theft. These practices exemplify the government's encroachment on private property, eroding our fundamental rights and leaving citizens unjustly deprived without due process. There is absolutely no accountability when government agents plunder their citizens.

Disturbingly, the federal government has also been working to silence certain viewpoints on digital platforms. Agencies have exerted pressure on social media companies to censor dissenting voices, limiting open discourse and hindering the free exchange of ideas that is vital to a free society.

Even further, the growing prevalence of warrantless surveillance conducted by federal agencies raises significant concerns about privacy rights and accountability, jeopardizing the trust between citizens and their government. Even after being caught, these agencies continue to spy on us with impunity — because they know nothing will happen to them.

These are only a small sampling of the myriad of abuses perpetrated by the state, and it’s only getting worse.

The time has come for we the people to reclaim the principles that Independence Day symbolizes, and to demand an end to the abuses inflicted upon us by our own government. We must ask ourselves the following questions:

When will we rise and begin to resist these encroachments on our rights?

Why have we not taken action already, knowing the significance of our freedoms?

How much longer can we tolerate these violations before our liberties are further eroded?

The most important question is this: What will I do to push back against the tyranny of government? Here are some suggestions.

It is essential to raise our voices, engage in peaceful protests, and demand change. We must hold our elected officials accountable, advocating for reforms that protect our natural rights and restore the vision of a government by and for the people. Even more, we must focus local, supporting candidates willing to resist against the excesses of federal and state governments.

Failure to act would undermine the legacy of Independence Day, allowing the erosion of our liberties to persist. Let the events the day commemorates serve as a rallying cry for a nation united in its commitment to safeguarding individual freedoms.