Two-hundred-forty-eight years ago, the Forefathers of the current United States of America declared their Independence from a tyrannical government, Great Britain.  In this document, The Declaration of Independence, the Founders of this country outlined a list of atrocities that their current leader, the Crown of Great Britain, has committed over a length of time.  Today, we still honor this document, but it is the second paragraph that is often remembered most, it is in fact the most relevant portion of this famous document in modern times.

QuoteWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. 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.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

"unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness ", is the most common referred phrase of this document.  It's what most if not all Veterans  have running through their minds while on the battlefield, defending our freedoms, these three Rights.  At least, I know I did while I served.  And while I feel that I should be celebrating today, I am feeling more as though I am mourning instead.

I look around at the current state of the Country, the United States of America, and the last few years, and specifically the last couple of months, the few days, and I see an atrocity.  I see, instead of the greatest, wealthiest nation the Earth has ever witnessed, the truth that more people live in poverty, living paycheck to paycheck, just to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.  These are basic necessities that the majority of people are struggling with.  Meanwhile we have wealthy politicians and Chief Executive Officers of multinational corporations raking in massive compensation packages year after year, gaining the ability to not only purchase private jet-liners, yachts, but even one-way trips to visit the Titanic.  These same people can spend seventy-thousand dollars on a ticket to wear ridiculous costumes and mock the rest of us, saying "Let them eat cake"'.  No, this is most certainly not the greatest, nor the wealthiest nation the world has ever seen, and it is not worthy of celebration.

We have a group of wealthy old men who are aggressively stripping the Rights of Americans daily.  A Supreme Court that passes judgements stating that there are, indeed, people whom are above the law, however with strings attached, if's, buts, ands, but really does it matter?  A Court that has stripped women the ability to best choose how to care for their own physical bodies.  MEN, what the hell do they know about a WOMAN's body?  Really? Sure they can read in books, they can talk to women about it, but they will NEVER know the true feelings that come with living such a life.  And we have States that are deciding what people can do to their own ADULT bodies, and not.  Whom we can choose to live with, if we even choose to have offspring or not.

We have a choice to make between an old man who supports a genocide by spending hard earned tax dollars that are supposed to go towards roads, schools, and infrastructure, instead goes towards weapons manufactures and foreign nations to bomb people.  And another old man who is a convicted felon, among other things and spouts nothing but lies and propaganda who's only true interest is in himself.  And this is the best we, the greatest nation on Earth can come up with to represent us, as leaders of the free world?  No, the truth is, the Corporations  who pay the various institutions have given us these choices.  These are the choices we are allowed.  Doesn't sound very free-like to me.

At the rate this Nation is declining, it won't be long before we've lost ALL of our Bill of Rights.  Censorship is rampant on all social media platforms, our privacy is gone, sold to the highest bidder, sometimes outright stolen from right under our noses.  A court system that is so backlogged with cases  that jury-trials are often avoided, and plea deals are recommended--don't forget about Congress that has strangled Judges ability to give fair judgements because of Sentencing Guidelines.  Finally, we have religious zealots declaring what is God's will, denying even the enumerated rights of individual choices people have.

So instead of celebrating today, I'll be reflecting on what we've lost, and will most likely lose in the coming months, if not weeks, and I will mentally prepare myself for the fight of my life, to once again defend [the] freedom [not to harm], to all.

QuoteAmendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

QuoteAmendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

QuoteAmendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

QuoteAmendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

QuoteAmendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

QuoteAmendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

QuoteAmendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

QuoteAmendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

QuoteAmendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

QuoteAmendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.