Ron Hart"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."
- Thomas Jefferson
Independence Day, a great American tradition, combines three things we like: eating, alcohol and fireworks. Set against the pent-up tension of having to be around all your relatives in scorching heat with dubious potato salad, what could be better than to add drinking and explosives to the mix?
We Harts have a great time. We drink, and then Uncle Mac (my "Drunkle") does his fireworks show. Nothing brings back memories like hearing the kids say, "Quick, ice down his fingers, and let's get him to the emergency room, again!"
After a few drinks on Independence Day, we also like to make crank calls to Queen Elizabeth. She is in her 90th year and still queen. Others might have lived that long, but they got beheaded.
Independence Day is personal for me. I am a descendant of John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
John Hart signed his own death warrant by putting his "John Hancock" on the Declaration of Independence. First British and then later Hessian troops raided his farm. His 13 kids fled to Virginia to escape death.
This is what was said in the Library of Congress upon his death in 1779: "The late Speaker of that House and Signer of the Declaration of Independence died. He was the erstwhile Speaker of the House, taking an early and active part in the present revolution, and continued to the day he was seized with his last illness to discharge the duties of a faithful and upright patriot in the service of his country in general and the county he represented in particular. The universal approbation of his character and conduct among all ranks of people, is the best testimony of his worth, and as it must make his death regretted and lamented, will ensure lasting respect to his memory."
What eloquent writing. Compare it to a Donald Trump tweet: "@katyperry must have been drunk when she married Russell Brand @rustyrockets – but he did send me a really nice letter of apology!"
Contrary to Trump's nativist view, immigrants are important to help grow an economy - but not to be wards of the state and a captive pool of Democrat voters for Hillary Clinton. We need a healthy dose of immigrants. They will take risks. Our kids won't even ride in the back of a pickup truck or use a lawn mower. They need a "safe place" when they hear or see "Trump 2016." Immigrants who float here on Styrofoam coolers will take some risks and be entrepreneurs. I hope this is not lost on lawmakers.
One personal observation about the Founding Fathers that explains America: They had ADD. Most had families and good lives in Europe, but they risked everything to come here. This explains why most creative entrepreneurs, artists and innovators live in the U.S. and why the Germans, English and Swedes left over there are all so stoic and boring.
Ben Franklin was a printer, musician, scientist and writer. Lore has it that he was flying a kite and did not notice lightning when he discovered electricity. Today, OSHA would have shut him down. Thomas Jefferson was an inventor, architect, writer, philosopher, statesman and lawyer. Nothing could hold his attention for very long other than Sally Hemings. In short, ADD.
Freedom comes with responsibility, which is why this administration and its entitlement-minded followers begrudge it. Every task the government undertakes should be measured by whether it increases or decreases freedom.
The notions of freedom and liberty resonate with people in Great Britain now, as they always have in our South. I hear guys I grew up with say, "By God, if I want to keep the wild coyote I caught in my coat closet, then I ought to be able to."
Our founders did not write "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness unless it offends someone." Their pursuit of happiness would not involve spending government resources to impede gay marriage or arresting citizens for not buying government-mandated health insurance. Remember, these men donned satin pedal-pusher britches, wigs, fancy shoes and ruffled shirts. They won our freedom - and a nomination for the first Tony Award for Best Costume in a Drama.
Contact Ron Hart at Ron@RonaldHart.com or @RonaldHart on Twitter.