On this Independence Day, we must remember what unites us

Brad Wenstrup, Opinion Contributor Posted at 4:06 p.m. ET July 4, 2020 | Updated at 4:06 p.m. ET July 4, 2020

The sea of ​​660 American flags just below the celestial restaurant represents the number of veterans who kill themselves each month, said Gold Star sister Nikki Glutz. (Photo: Photos by Liz Dufour / The Enquirer)

The country we now call the United States of America was once an act of daring imagination.

When our founding fathers put ink on parchment and wrote the words, “We take these truths for granted,” there was no plan to follow. When the second continental congress ratified the final text of this declaration of independence on July 4, 1776, it was launching into unknown territory. They were creating a vision for a country that did not yet exist. As Ronald Reagan later said, “This idea that the government is beholden to the people, that they have no other source of power than the sovereign people, is still the most recent and the most unique idea of ​​all time. history of the relationship of man to man. “

Over the years, these words on parchment, our Declaration of Independence, have been integrated into a nation wrought by the fires of revolution and civil war, and stretching from coast to coast through continent. There were growing pains and imperfections to fix, but that same bold imagination responsible for our birth continued to shape our path to the future.

He redefined the possibilities of a representative democracy, proving that people have the right to the dignity of self-determination and the ability to lead their own governance. It was the American imagination that created this model of modern democracy that countries around the world have adopted, learned and used as a model for their own governments.

It stimulated progress, innovation and invention. It’s the American imagination that made the world hold its breath as Neil Armstrong’s voice crackled on the air from a place no human had crossed before: “It’s a small step for a man , a giant leap for humanity. “

It is also what drives us towards more complete realizations of the ideals described by our founders. It was the ability to imagine a better and fairer future that drove the voice of Martin Luther King, Jr. to ring across the National Mall with four words that would define movement and resonate across generations: “I have a dream. “

Dr. King went on to say, “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note which every American should inherit. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as white men, would be guaranteed the “inalienable rights” of “life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there is not enough money in the great opportunity coffers of this nation. And so, we came to cash this check, a check that will give us, upon request, the riches of freedom and the security of justice. “

This is what our founders gave us that day: a bold vision for something that did not yet exist. An invitation to believe, to dream and to fight for its realization.

Think about it: the world in which they lived at the time was not yet a reflection of the words on this parchment. Yet these early Americans were able to look beyond what was and envision what could be. With this great act of imagination, they set the tone for what America should look like, what freedom should look like, what justice and equality should look like.

There are times in our history when we have failed these ideals, but these ideals have never disappointed us. Sometimes we got it wrong. With each generation that passes, we must strive to live our ideals and our virtues more fully and thus allow everyone to live more freely. America is not exceptional because it is perfect. America is exceptional because the greatness of the ideas on which it was founded transcends any human effort to realize them. They must survive and survive each of us. They are both a war cry and an invitation to each generation: come, imagine a fairer, more civil, more peaceful and freer world. Let us work to make it happen.

Today, as we commemorate the birth of our country, we are grateful to Americans of all colors, races and beliefs throughout our history who have sacrificed and spoken, fought and bled for this nation. But now, the torch has passed to us. As Abraham Lincoln said, “It is for us living people to decide that these dead will not be in vain that this nation, under God, will have a new birth of freedom, and that the government of the people , by the people, for the people will not perish from the earth. “We have this moment in history. It is our responsibility to harness every ounce of energy, optimism and imagination to live up to the values ​​that were described on this piece of parchment ago so many years.

It won’t be easy. There is always a cost. This will require sacrifices, compromises and a great commitment. We will have to fill the chasms that divide us and remember what unites us. We must continue in the footsteps of each generation that preceded us, who fought to let the flame of freedom light a little more. Our nation is worth it.

God bless the United States of America.

U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup, R-Columbia Tusculum, is a U.S. Army Reserve physician and colonel, in service since 1998.

Brad Wenstrup, R-Columbia Tusculum (Photo: Fourni / House.gov)

Read or share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/2020/07/04/opinion-independence-day-we-must-remember-what-unites-us/5371111002/

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos

picture credit