In 1776, a band of audacious rebels, who were deemed as insurrectionists, extremists, traitors, and more by the British crown, dared to challenge a global superpower. They fought for the principles of liberty, freedom, and individualism. This Independence Day, as we celebrate with fireworks and barbecue, it’s worth remembering the audacity of these early Americans and questioning if that spirit still lives within us today.
The founding fathers, often seen as heroes of history, were seen quite differently by their contemporaries. They were insurrectionists, rebelling against the established government. They were extremists, willing to fight for their ideals of self-governance. They were traitors to the Crown, challenging a monarchy that had ruled for centuries. They were, in many ways, the earliest proponents of the Second Amendment, bearing arms in their struggle for freedom.
They were tax evaders, boldly refusing to pay the Crown’s taxes without representation. They were, indeed, even cannabis growers – George Washington and Thomas Jefferson among them – at a time when the plant held economic, not just recreational value. Labelled as domestic terrorists by the British empire, these individuals were driven by a higher principle: the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
These figures, often lionized in our history books, defied a government that, by today’s standards, was less powerful and less intrusive than what we experience currently. They embodied an audacious spirit of resistance and a relentless pursuit of freedom.
Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves in a different world.
Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves in a different world. Government powers have grown exponentially, and the sanctity of individual liberty has been continuously challenged. Our founding fathers were unafraid to question authority, but today’s leaders seem to rule without fear of retribution. This raises the question: has the spirit of resistance and liberty faded in the face of modern government?
Our founding fathers fought against a government they perceived as oppressive. Today, many feel similarly about the omnipresence of the modern state. Critics argue that a powerful political apparatus often seems to trample on individual liberties, with its agents routinely accused of extortion, theft, and violence, all behind a veil of authority and legitimacy.
Our elected representatives, once envisioned as servants of the people, seem to have lost touch with this ideal. The fear of being voted out of power seems their only constraint, allowing for a cycle of seemingly unaccountable leadership.
Yet, despair is not the answer. For as long as the American spirit endures, there is hope. This Independence Day is a timely reminder to rekindle the fire of the American Revolutionary spirit — that undying beacon of liberty, freedom, and individualism.
Let us heed the wise words of founding father Patrick Henry, who said,
“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.”
Paul Henry
As we celebrate this Independence Day, we should remember what we’re really celebrating — not just a historical event, but a timeless spirit of resistance, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. A spirit that must be rekindled, guarded, and carried forward, if the American Dream is to endure for generations to come.
