Today is the day our country celebrates it’s independence.  Thomas Jefferson wrote a document in 1776, declaring our defiance against tyranny, affirming our yearning to be free, and proclaiming our choice to be a sovereign nation,  in control of our own destiny.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We 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…

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

 Compare and contrast:  President Barack Hussein Obama  (mm mmm mmmm) speaking on September 23, 2009:

America has acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. But it is my deeply held belief that in the year 2009 – more than at any point in human history – the interests of nations and peoples are shared. No longer do we have the luxury of indulging our differences to the exclusion of the work that we must do together.

If we are honest with ourselves, we need to admit that we are not living up to that responsibility. In an era when our destiny is shared, power is no longer a zero sum game. No one nation can or should try to dominate another nation. No world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will succeed.

America will keep our end of the bargain. I am not naïve. I know this will be difficult. That is why the days when America dragged its feet on this issue are over. Now is the time for all of us to do our part. We have reached a pivotal moment. The United States stands ready to begin a new chapter of international cooperation ….

 John Quicy Adams, Inaugural Address, March 4, 1825 –  

Fellow-citizens, you are acquainted with the peculiar circumstances of the recent election, which have resulted in affording me the opportunity of addressing you at this time. You have heard the exposition of the principles which will direct me in the fulfillment of the high and solemn trust imposed upon me in this station. Less possessed of your confidence in advance than any of my predecessors, I am deeply conscious of the prospect that I shall stand more and oftener in need of your indulgence. Intentions upright and pure, a heart devoted to the welfare of our country, and the unceasing application of all the faculties allotted to me to her service are all the pledges that I can give for the faithful performance of the arduous duties I am to undertake. To the guidance of the legislative councils, to the assistance of the executive and subordinate departments, to the friendly cooperation of the respective State governments, to the candid and liberal support of the people so far as it may be deserved by honest industry and zeal, I shall look for whatever success may attend my public service; and knowing that “except the Lord keep the city the watchman waketh but in vain,” with fervent supplications for His favor, to His overruling providence I commit with humble but fearless confidence my own fate and the future destinies of my country. 

In the summer of 1976, Chicago Cubs outfielder Rick Monday showed everyone how the overwhelming majority of Americans feel about our country:

Happy 4th of July, Americans.  God bless America, land that I love.

Sources:   famousquotes.me.uk, archives.gov, legalinsurrection.com, youtube.com