Banc of California’s Post

A definition refresher on Independence Day. Today and every day, enjoy, Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness. Liberty /lĭb′ər-tē/ noun 1. The condition of being free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor. 2. The condition of being free from oppressive restriction or control by a government or other power. 3. A right to engage in certain actions without control or interference by a government or other power.

We live in an era of great confusion and disappointment with governance and a general dissatisfaction in our representation in OUR government. Allow me share some memorable advice my granma used to share to me- "things seem to always get worse before they get better", or even more shared, "It's always darkest right before dawn". The idea of "America" was that of a "great experiment", at a time where entire nations were either ruLED by a monarchy or were empires were RULED by emperors, a group of enlightened people conceptualized the idea of a nation ruled by the people. They even postulated a number of scenarios in that! Some were unrealistic, some were marginally laughable. But the concept was so appealing, men were willing to die for it. In the decades around what we today know as America's "Independence Day", this nation developed a principle that would be used over and over in many other lands on this planet. Back to today- I try to remember the advice from my granma when I understand that the experiment is still running, because the settings were never potted in epoxy- Lest we forget that those enlightened people considered that times would change, society would change and thus governance should be able to change to support that change. I won't waste your time talking about the things we should have learned in our civics classes in school, but consider those now... As we celebrate our Independence, let us also remember that the cost of FREEDOM is NEVER FREE- When we are a military protecting the homeland from external influences that would compromise the autonomy of our nation's governance or it's people's freedoms, OR safety. Or, a citizen that understands that we are not expected to leave the governance of our country to someone else, but that a government "Of, WE the People" means that what we have is the product of our contributions, or lack there of... Make America what you expect it to be, make YOUR contributions to it- participate in the government of it, scrutinize the abilities and effectiveness of those you choose to represent you in government, consider what happens to the governance as that representative exploits your representation- we are NOT choosing leaders here folks- we are CHOOSING those that REPRESENT our expectations in the governance of this "Nation built on the GREAT EXPERIMENT... Happy 4th of July- Let Freedom Ring!

May your Independence Day be filled with celebration, joy, and above all, pride as we honor our freedom and liberty that defines our great nation. Check out my blog post https://wix.to/fJk1zOR #newblogpost

Happy Independence Day, America Thanks to the original founders and their sacrifices and to all who have sacrificed in the 248 years since to keep this flag flying free wherever in this great land you want to fly it; whether on land, or by sea and air. May we cherish and protect our freedoms. All day. Every day. Everywhere in this great land. For everyone. From the Declaration of Independence - "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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; ..."

Celebrating Independence Day: More Than Just Fireworks and BBQs: While fireworks, barbecues, and parades are fundamental to our 4th of July celebrations, the spirit of Independence Day runs much deeper. http://dlvr.it/T98PbY

Celebrating Independence Day: More Than Just Fireworks and BBQs: While fireworks, barbecues, and parades are fundamental to our 4th of July celebrations, the spirit of Independence Day runs much deeper. http://dlvr.it/T98RH1

Celebrating Independence Day: More Than Just Fireworks and BBQs: While fireworks, barbecues, and parades are fundamental to our 4th of July celebrations, the spirit of Independence Day runs much deeper. http://dlvr.it/T98PYg

Celebrating Independence Day: More Than Just Fireworks and BBQs: While fireworks, barbecues, and parades are fundamental to our 4th of July celebrations, the spirit of Independence Day runs much deeper. http://dlvr.it/T98NsR

Celebrating Independence Day: More Than Just Fireworks and BBQs: While fireworks, barbecues, and parades are fundamental to our 4th of July celebrations, the spirit of Independence Day runs much deeper. http://dlvr.it/T98PYZ

Celebrating Independence Day: More Than Just Fireworks and BBQs: While fireworks, barbecues, and parades are fundamental to our 4th of July celebrations, the spirit of Independence Day runs much deeper. http://dlvr.it/T98PPs