Independence in Action

    
        Today is election day in the United States. Even on the shores of this tiny island, the essence of civic rights and responsibilities seem quite apparent. But today’s elections seem to loom over us with greater import than usual. It is with this thought that inalienable rights and that those rights are endowed by our maker, that I decided to use the Declaration of Independence my source of reflection  for the day.

        The document is a pretty heady one in reality. There are some rather high and mighty assertions and beliefs set forth for the fledgling country. High ideals. Philosophical  recognition of all men being created equal and that the equality comes from God.  What magnificent concepts to ponder. I highly suggest you read and reflect on it.

          These heady words however seem lost in the brutal language being bantered about in politics these days and especially in this election. The harsh rhetoric is of unequal peoples, segregation, racism, and hate. After reading the Declaration of Independence, the words espoused today seem particularly heinous, wrong hearted and anathema to those truths that we hold self evident. What happened? 

           I could ramble on about Lady Liberty and that we are absolutely totally a nation of immigrants but we need not go there. We are founded on the premise of equality of all and only an idiot would not recognize that every soul here, aside from the native Americans are all immigrants. That is not a fake fact. All immigrants, everyone. 

         Even the concept  of God is not definitive. We speak of creator not Christianity. The founding fathers were of many faiths and certainly not just Christian. Christianity is not mentioned. It is not Jesus that created us equal but the broad title of Creator God. 

         With all these concepts and almost revelations rolling around in my mind and focusing like a laser on what the United States stands for, what do we do?   Today is the day to re-assert your inalienable rights and if you are true to this Declaration and that those rights are based on Godliness of your choice or revelation , then vote accordingly as both a right and a responsibility.  Vote for the candidates that show respect and echo the truths of this magnificent and abiding document.