4th of July, and the USA Is Perfect!

Oh wait a minute...this isn't a right wing blog, where they claim there's a direct and unassailable line straight from God through our founding fathers to our current president. This is a blog from the reality-based community, and we can handle the truth.

The truth is this: any system is only so good as it was made to be, and it only stays that way by how passionately people work to maintain that system. Fortunately, our system of politics was soundly built by an extraordinary cadre of Americans who transcended their time and made a country that's been the envy of most ever since.

On this day where we check our skepticism at the door and indulge in the delightful patriotism of our nation's birthday, I urge that we don't just consider that we've managed to keep this country together for 230 years. I also suggest that we renew our vows as patriots.

I'm reminded of Thomas Paine who said:
"When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon."

Times are now changing, but until recently, these have been times where thinking has become unpopular, and blindly following way too common. This Independence Day let's remember the wisdom of the founding fathers and commit to doing what needs doing to be sure this country doesn't continue to slide away from that which made it so good in the first place. That is about the most patriotic act you can do.