Happy 4th.
Blast from the Past. At Daily Kos on this date in 2008:
Over two centuries ago, colonial America reacted to the abuses of their leaders in the most drastic and violent way open to them, by taking up arms against their oppressors. Revolution is not to be taken lightly, and wasn't by those men and women. Perhaps recognizing within themselves the potential to create a grand experiment that would alter world history, or perhaps just fed up with the status quo, they acted.
And out of their actions was built something indescribably profound. A simple piece of paper that recognized both the strengthens and the foibles of human beings, that allowed the best of what's in us to flourish, while providing a stop against the natural tendency of those in power to abuse their rule. The philosophy of these men and women when approaching governance was best summed up by John Adams:
"There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty."
The shred of paper that grew out of the experience of colonization, oppression, violence and revolution has proven remarkably durable over these 219 years. It's weathered foreign war, civil war, four presidential assassinations, two presidential impeachments, and many a misguided Congress. It's also been supported by some extraordinarily brave men and women who served in that body and who elevated it.
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