The 4th of July: its lost meaning

Two hundred and thirty-two years ago yesterday, 56 men from all walks of life gathered together in a hot, stuffy room in what is now Independence Hall in Philadelphia to adopt what is the cornerstone of American freedom, the Declaration of Independence. Laying the groundwork for what would become the greatest civilization in the history of the world, these men did what some then were and many today are afraid of doing. They stood tall when it counted and spoke up in defense of their principles and what they believed in. The tyrant king whom they spoke against considered their act of defiance to be an act of treason. Knowing this, these brave patriots literally risked their lives so that future generations could know the joys of freedom from opression, persecution, and tyranny.

Today, Independence Day has sadly lost its true meaning, much like Christmas and Thanksgiving. It has been reduced to an excuse for Americans to reward themselves for nothing, and for retailers to have "4th of July sales" in an attempt to lure consumers into shopping malls to buy junk that they don't need. They all forget about the men and that simple piece of parchment paper that makes all this possible. Yes, the majority of the American people have become selfish, greedy, materialistic, and ungrateful, and as such, when they're at Wal-Mart lavishing money on themselves or standing in line at an amusement park, they're not thinking about the real reason for this wasted day off. No, they're thinking about instant gratification and of ways to spoil themselves even more than they've already been.

The current economic situation has exposed just how self-centered and ungrateful Americans have become. Case in point, there have been a number of so-called "news" stories about how families had to cut back on their vacation plans for the 4th, and in some cases, scrap plans altogether due to high gas prices and an economy in the hole. These "news" pieces went onto show interviews with families who whined about how instead of going to Disney World or the beach, they had to "settle for a cook-out, a ball game, and some fireworks". These people forget about the freedom that allows them to have that cook-out, go to that ball game, to a movie theater, video arcade, or anywhere they chose. In thinking only of themselves, they forget about the starving people in this country and around the world who, I'm quite certain, would love and appriciate nothing more than to "settle for a cook-out". What's even sadder is that they lose sight of the fact that it's not what you do that's important, but that you do something together with friends and family. You can't get anymore ungrateful than that.

I love this country so much. It's because I live in America that I'm able to freely express my feelings, as I'm doing right now, no matter what those feelings are. That freedom is a wonderful gift that I'll always cherish and never take for granted, because I know that there are so many people in this world who don't have that freedom. So although my love for America has never wavered, my love for the American people certainly has. The American people and their ungratefulness amd self-centeredness have caused me to shake my head in anger, fustration, and disbelief, and on a day like yesterday, have made me sick.

Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Adams, Mr. Hancock, Mr. Franklin, and the others who risked everything for the hope of freedom, please know that your brave actions have not been entirely forgotten. Please know that there are still some of us who are forever grateful for the gift you have given us. Please know that there are still some of us who recognize and appriciate what the 4th of July truly means. For your courage, for your sacrifices, and for risking having your necks in a noose, on behalf of those true Americans who feel as I do, I thank you.