Frankly it was brilliant then, as it would be now.

If .. the scholars who pretend to represent us would abide by that brilliance.

They (our founders) paid for their declaration of truth in the blood of fathers and sons and brothers.

The irony of the United States' Supreme Court decision on the ACA (Obamacare) happening just before this day we celebrate as a 'free people' should not be lost.

The SCOTUS has done this nation a severe wrong.  It has upheld as agreeable to our 225 year old constitution, a most significant taking of our personal liberties.

In our own state, even the so called Republican governor has been chomping at the bit to enforce ways in which we will contract for our own personal care.  Ways that profit certain agencies, and allow greater control by government over our personal liberty with regard to our health care choices.  A chipping away at an already eroded base of freedom further added to by new rules, new requirements, and further complications of our daily affairs.

If there was ever a time to reflect on what we have lost, even within just the past few days, it is today.

Enjoy your hotdogs, your barbecue, parades, fireworks etc.  Ponder the wonders built on the agony endured in creating this wonderful nation, and the sacrifices made to protect the rights we have just seen slither away with a few pen strokes.

Understand we still own those rights. They are ours, as our founders declared to be self evident.  But our defenders, our leaders, it seems, have forgotten their responsibilities.  Its not about entertaining the masses.  Nor is it providing all that is necessary for one to enjoy the same lifestyle as another. Nor is it to create schemes that intervene in our own personal affairs:

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Elections are upon us.  Tomorrow, start looking about you for those new stalwarts, new leaders, and accept no vacillation.  Demand that they hold true to the principles that crafted the greatest nation on the face of the planet.  Then give them the support, the tools, the courage to restore it.

Stay sober today.  A hangover tomorrow won't help this happen.