230 years ago...

It seems improbable.

It was the middle of the 18th Century and the world was controlled by monarchies. However, a group of men in a far off land decided that it would be best if they ruled themselves. It began as a revolution of ideas and it escalated into a revolution of blood, then culminated into the birth of a new nation; it was a new form of government.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."--George Washington

There were many founding fathers, but most Americans will only be able to recall George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin,or Patrick Henry--

However, there were men like Charles Carroll of Maryland who was the richest man in America at the time, and the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence.

William Johnson from Connecticut was the only man in this group of incredible men who was not in favor of America gaining its independence; he ended up becoming a staunch supporter.

John Marshall of Virginia is a founding father whose name you will not find on the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. He became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1801, and held that position until 1835. However, during his time in the Supreme Court his work was critical in defining the relationship between the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. He also provided the guidance that defined the relationship between the states and the national government. Arguably, he is at the same level as the most popular of the founding fathers.

"The power to tax is the power to destroy."
--John Marshall

There are many more. Although these men came from all different walks of life, they all risked the same thing, their lives. They were committing treason in the eyes of the British monarchy. They put themselves, their families, their lands and future on the line because they believed so fervently in the concept of a democratic government. A government controlled by the people, not by a single individual. They idea of liberty and freedom squelched any selfish fears of self preservation.

"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."--Thomas Jefferson

The ideas of liberty, freedom and self government germinated into an organization of driven men and women. An army was formed. An army not supported or trained by the largest and most powerful country in the world, but by a non-existent country. The world's most powerful navy and army was defeated by the ragged heart of this new country.

Patriotism was not a fad, it was the way of life, and even though these men had their own vices and idiosyncrasies, they held that the country's needs took precedence over all else.

George Washington defined the presidency as an office that was not made for or by royalty. Many people wanted him to be on the same level as their former kings and queens. He would have none of it. He served two terms and went back to Mt. Vernon to just be an American.



Was it perfect? No. Was it better than what they had? Yes, and it is still growing and evolving. We may or may not like our leaders, their decisions or their lifestyles, but the underlying truth, they underlying foundation of the purer reasons for this great experiment are still there.

We as Americans have the responsibility to act as Americans. We need to look beyond. We need to look at America first. We currently live in a time where there is a lot of hostility towards America. The factions that want our country and our way of life to be obliterated are not people who negotiate. For the entire existence of man, there have always been dictators,and there will always be dictators, but there has only been one United States of America. It has not died. As Lincoln said"...a government of the people, by the people and for the people..."

I am honored to be an American. I am a human being born in the United States of America, a human being who can vote for or against what he wants, a human being who can speak out against his government without fear of treason, or retribution, and a human being who can make his own decisions and can take responsibility for his own lot in life.

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their county; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny like hell is not easily conquered yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value." -- Thomas Paine


The point is this: It took a certain mold of man at the right time and place to give birth to this great nation. This was not an accident.