Thoughts on Independence Day

(Dear Non-U.S. Readers: I apologize in advance for the unapologetic American-ness of this post)

I read a lovely opinion piece today on the real meaning of the Declaration of Independence (HERE at The Washington Post).

The article reminds me that looking to the past for guidance in the present only works if you understand history. As the recent Sarah Palin-Paul Revere episode shows, far too many politicians use history as a weapon and/or shield when in reality they have completely messed up the facts.

I minored in Political Science as an undergrad, and my focus was on American Politics and Political Theory. As such, I've spent a great deal of time analyzing the founding documents. Granted, there is a lot of debate about the meaning and proper interpretation of these texts, and there are some obviously negative things the documents supported (slavery), but I think there are some clear takeaways from the history of the Founders.

The Founders believed in the power of the people (for good or ill). Some members of the Continental Congress were admittedly somewhat distrustful of "the mob" (hence the electoral college), but they did believe in representative government. As the opinion piece linked earlier mentions, the problem wasn't taxation, it was taxation without representation.

The Founders believed in discourse, in finding a balance. The Constitution reflects this compromise between those who wanted a strong federal government and those who wanted stronger states' rights. Behind all of this debate, however, was a desire to be one nation. Everyone who had a hand in the creation of the United States was a patriot, no matter their politics.

To that end, I am disgusted by a new study which states that people who attend patriotic parades as children (like the 4th of July parades happening this weekend) are more likely to be Republicans as adults. Here's the ABC news report I watched. To qualify this a bit, I haven't yet read the actual study. But the implication that being a patriot has anything to do with one's personal political beliefs is appalling.

I have always considered myself a patriot. As a college student, I spent a summer in Washington, D.C., and I have many fond memories of visiting the Smithsonian, touring the White House, listening to jazz on the Mall, and watching the 4th of July fireworks from the base of the Washington Monument.

Appreciating history and being a patriot has nothing to do with personal politics, but national politics is better if those in charge know where they came from.

I'm continually surprised by how many people don't know history. And I'm continually disappointed by politicians who twist history to their advantage.

I'll end with a quote from President James Madison: "The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty."