YETMO

”The Fourth of July"

All honor and thanks go to Thomas Jefferson and other fellow Declaration of Independence drafting collaborators. Sure, TJ is given all the credit for this document, but we know better, especially those of us who have worked in government agencies or large companies. There are always those behind the scenes who don’t get the kudos they deserve. But lest you believe this is an attack on Thomas Jefferson, I assure you that this is not the case. My purpose is to celebrate the Fourth of July, and the great political manifesto created in 1776.

To Mr. Jefferson, et al, we owe the foundation of this great Republic, for our Constitution, ratified 13 years later, was based on the inherent moral and natural rights enumerated in the Declaration which propounded the principles behind our current, and always evolving, system of government.

Some phrases within the Declaration are particularly significant. First, and perhaps most well-known, is the following:

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…

Did you note that while our rights are natural and provided by our Creator, our instrument of choice to protect them – government – is empowered wholly and only by “the consent of the governed.” The Consent of the Governed. These five words were so pivotal in the founding and operation of our Republic that they should never be minimized or neglected. Despite our differences, despite the rancor and pain from the 2000 Bush-Gore and 2004 Bush-Kerry elections, we survived because of the consent of the governed. It was difficult. It was messy. And sometimes it was downright rude and crude – or worse. Yet we survived. The Republic survived because the Republic – the embodiment of the consent of the governed -- determined that it would survive.

Another key verse is:

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Our King had become our tryant. Therefore, said the Declaration, we must elevate our petitions to a more dire state – independence. Rebellion inevitably followed.

These two sentences can be viewed as the seed of what became our nation’s signature “separation of powers” doctrine. Later, our Constitution, employing this principle, would spell out three co-equal branches of government to offer checks and balances on the other.

In 2006, we are struck by the level of debate, in some quarters, that the balance of power is shifting and that the co-equal branches have fallen out of balance. For those who favor a strong Executive, the Courts or Congress have been accused of unduly restricting the President from exercising his (and soon to be ‘her’) Article II powers. For those who oppose a strong Executive, or those simply opposing the current sitting President, the other branches of government are not receiving their fair share of power or respect. You can imagine how these folks feel when the President, at bill-signing events, proclaims how he interprets and will execute the law, especially if such pronouncements don’t seem to square with the legislative history.

And so, this illustrates our ever evolving form of government, and the endless ying and yang of our Republic. I conclude this article with the concluding sentence from the document:

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.

With this final pledge, the die was cast, and 56 men signed this declaration and began a new country, a new ideal, that people across this planet regard for inspiration and hope.

As a result, we enjoy the finest form of extant government. While it may be the best, it is surely not perfect. For our country will always be discerning “the consent of the governed” and striving to satisfy it in the best and most perfect manner that we, as imperfect governed souls conferring consent, can provide.

So, enjoy. Eat a hot dog or two. Set off some fireworks. Celebrate.

Our forebears pledged their lives, fortunes, and honor. The least we can do is honor them by honoring this day.

Happy Fourth of July!

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