CSN Citizen Voice - Independence Day Edition - 7/4/2023
Ideals of the Declaration of Independence Still Challenge the World
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE:
Today is the anniversary of the recognized birth of the United States of America, the day the true citizens of the United States celebrate the birthday of our nation. Yet, there are many who have the name of being American that do not celebrate, do not honor our nation. And, that is okay in one sense -- it is a free country -- for the time being. IMHO, we are currently embroiled in a battle for the soul of the nation. Both sides in this battle acknowledge it. However, it is not a battle between Democrats and Republicans. True Americans have moved beyond that illusion, the rest of the Americans need to get over such a projected illusion.
It would be wise for all who enjoy this Indepence Day holiday, and who love the freedoms given to us from our forefathers, to be respectful of what they needed to do to create the Land of the Free and to remember the ideals and values that ignited in them the fire to do so. They were not mere spectators.
It would be prudent that in the midst of the festivities this year true citizens would pause to think about the genuine value of freedom, and how much they would want to preserve it for their kids and grandkids, if not for themselves. Our Father in Heaven inspired the Founding Fathers to put in play a new nation, conceived in Liberty. So, toward this end, on such an auspicious day, we offer two messages to honor America on her birthday. One of them I wrote for Independence Day in 2017, which seems like a hundred years ago as so much has changed in America since that promising time. The second message is “The American’s Creed” written by Tyler Page.
Not long after President Woodrow Wilson urged the U.S. Congress to thrust America into the first World War, in another turbulent time, the impetus for Page’s ‘Creed’ came from Henry S. Chapin, the New York Commissioner of Education at the time, who iniiated a nationwide contest for the public to write a brief paragraph that could represent what U.S. citizen’s believed in to make them true American citizens. Chapin’s contest was supported by then Baltimore mayor John Preston who offered a $1000 grand prize, and awarded it to Page when he won. Although it was accepted by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1918, it never was officially adopted by the government. If it had been, it is possible that our nation would not be suffering under types of political ‘leaders’ that are entrenched in positions of power in 2023. In such a time as this, all citizens of the Republic should re-evaluate what we believe in that makes a ‘true American.’
Additionally, we hope that readers can check out some of the other features we offer today. And again a reminder that our Zoom calls are continuing on each Wednesday at 5pm PDT (6pm MDT; 7pm CDT; and 8pm EDT). This coming Wednesday, the day after Independence Day, we will still meet and have a discussion on the article today. If readers would like to partake in this upcoming Zoom call on Wednesday and take part in our discussion, please reach out. Any readers who are interested in receiving the Zoom link to the call, are asked to please send a brief email request to this address: d.jamzon@gmail.com
CSN LightWing Mission – Zoom call Wednesday 7/5/23 at 5:00pm PST
As always, if the perspectives or views of our writers are worthy of others’ attention, please share today’s Citizens Voice with those who may need enlightenment. And, in light of those aggregates and entries today, it is also our hope that readers would please take to heart what they read through this edition. Read, enjoy, absorb and share. Happy Independence Day!
While the Declaration of Independence formulates a framework and a premise for all people to declare their reliance upon freedom and reject tyranny, it represents not just an affirmation of faith, it remains a very real challenge for all of humanity.
Ideals of the Declaration of Independence Still Challenge the World
By Dennis Jamison July 4, 2017
The Declaration of Independence was for the World!
Although a majority of Americans celebrate Independence Day, there are many who give little thought to Independence and how it fundamentally relates to them on a daily basis. To many, the freedoms enjoyed are taken for granted, and some people live from day to day with little focus upon the future with exceptions including upcoming vacations, or the saving of money for a significant impending expense (that could be a wonderful family vacation). Yet, few today would ponder the future and consider risking their lives for a better world, but that is what the Declaration of Independence was all about.
Brave and brilliant men were willing to pledge “... their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor… ” to fight for the cause of Independence to create a nation of freedom. It was the appeal to the concept of self-government and freedom from tyrants. And certainly, the consequences of the Declaration’s call to action altered the course of human history; the world had never witnessed a revolution like common colonists fighting against tyranny to create a Land of the Free.
The words of the Declaration of Independence represented what these men would agree upon regarding declaring Independence from the Crown and creating a new nation based upon the principles of freedom. And they were under no illusions that it would not involve great cost.
The words of the Declaration were also a powerful explanation to the rest of the world of why freedom itself was so important, and without Thomas Jefferson’s deep philosophical framework of ideals embedded within the Declaration of Independence, there may never have been a nation that valued the pursuit of freedom. Yet, Leftists and Progressives are questioning the value of the beginning of the Declaration, and are attempting to eradicate the “self-evident truths” that the Founders could clearly see.
These self-evident truths of the Founders are the underpinnings of the Land of the Free, but Jefferson’s words formed a premise for all people to declare their alliance with the belief that all men were created equal and that all were endowed by the Creator with the unalienable rights of Life, Liberty and freedom in the Pursuit of Happiness. Such ideals had been around for some time, but they were woven into the very fabric of the Declaration of Independence, and it was more than a philosophical treatise.
Indeed, specific ideals embedded within the Declaration of Independence served as a powerful statement to the rest of the world why freedom itself was essential:
“... to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them…”
Yet, Americans are the ones who have been most challenged over the centuries to live up to these ideals; they have sparked civil disruption and outright warfare within the United States. Such ideals are a challenge to the entire world, and to all people to abide by in their nations. Certainly, the American War for Independence changed the world with respect to the expectations of self-government as opposed to tyranny. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense may have expressed this sentiment best: "We have it in our power to begin the world all over again. A situation similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birth-day of a new world is at hand, and a race of men perhaps as numerous as all Europe contains, are to receive their portion of freedom…"
Such noble sentiments from Paine stirred the minds and hearts of the American public, and gave the leaders in the Continental Congress a playbook for the course of action that needed to be pursued to plot a course towards independence; especially it was Paine’s call for a document to express to the world America’s ideals for freedom. And the Declaration was written, and not just for Americans, or a bunch of old white guys; it was for all mankind.
The words of the Declaration of Independence summoned all people of conscience to fight for the noble ideals linked to freedom. Yet, many today confuse conception with accomplishment, mistake ideals to equal fulfillment. While the fundamental ideals inscribed in the Declaration had existed since ancient times, they had remained only ideals. By creating a nation dedicated to such ideals, the ideals needed to be implemented by future generations who would value those same ideals. Thomas Jefferson had skillfully woven into the core of the Declaration a manifesto for the freedom of all people, aligning with what Thomas Paine had claimed in Common Sense: that the cause of America was the cause of the world!
Beyond mere belief in previously postulated ideas, the Declaration of Independence created an intellectual or philosophical framework of ideals that sparked and sustained the American colonists’ fight for freedom and the ideological framework for a nation based upon principles of freedom. Initially, it took many years of sacrifice and suffering before genuine independence was accomplished through the Paris Peace Treaty on September 3, 1783. Nevertheless, the high ideals of the Declaration of Independence were such noble ideals that they were beyond the reach of most people, not only in the last quarter of the 18th century but throughout America’s history.
In fact, properly viewed, the history of the United States is a history of a people fighting to implement such incredibly high ideals. The first great confrontation over these ideals in the United States took place in the middle of the 19th century through the horrendous warfare in the American Civil War. This struggle was centered upon the single concept of whether “all” men were created equal. Those in the Deep South, who eventually attempted to destroy the U.S. Constitution, had been informed by their ancestors that Jefferson had not meant “all” men when they had signed the Declaration of Independence—he only meant “all free men.”
The second great confrontation over these ideals in the United States occurred in the middle of the 20th century through the political and social unrest of the Civil Rights Movement. This struggle was centered upon the single concept of what “equal” truly represented within the specific ideal that all were “created equal.” After slavery had been abolished in the United States through the Thirteenth Amendment, there remained the residue from resentment and hatred in the Southern governmental establishments that legalized the restriction and outright prevention of citizens’ freedoms and civil liberties. This became the reason for the Civil Rights Movement, and the rise of the central personage of the struggle: Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King was fighting against a White power structure whose leaders had inherited attitudes of racial prejudice from their slave-owning ancestors who had established a system of political thought and instilled an attitude of superiority that Dr. King fought against in the laws of the “reconstructed” South. He fought against the inability to speak up or speak out; he fought for the freedom to voice one’s concerns and to vote in a South that had been under the mental and physical control of the aristocratic, power-hungry Democrat politicians of the old South since the days of Andrew Jackson.
Today, the existence of True Freedom still depends upon the people with common sense who cherish it.
The third great confrontation over the ideals in the one sentence of the Declaration of independence is taking place right now in the United States. At the beginning of the 21st century, there is a struggle centered upon the integral concept of all people being endowed by God with unalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and the freedom to Pursue Happiness. This struggle has been initiated through political and social unrest brought about by the thought originating with the “Progressive” Left. Under the guise of eliminating racism, prejudice, and discrimination, the Democrats, the spearhead of the “Progressives,” are once again attempting to manipulate people’s lives through control and dominion under a legal construction of their own making.
Almost a half-century after Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, a question that needs to be asked is whether genuine leadership exists within the contemporary American political spectrum to help in retaining the ideals that have kept this nation strong and vibrant for over 240 years. While the Declaration of Independence formulated a framework and a premise for all people to declare their reliance upon freedom and rejection of tyranny, it remains a demand for what all human beings should expect in their lives on this planet. The Declaration of Independence is still a call to people of conscience to fight for such noble ideals. Today, the existence of True Freedom still depends upon the people with common sense who cherish it.
The American's Creed
by William Tyler Page
I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a Republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
Additional History –
Article links…
From History.com: Continental Congress votes for independence from Britain
From The Library of Congress: Drafting the Documents - Jefferson's "original Rough draught" of the Declaration of Independence
From The National Archives: Declaration of Independence: A Transcription
From The Heritage Foundation: The Declaration of Independence and the American Creed
From American Minute with Bill Federer: Independence Day -- "GREATEST REVOLUTION that has ever taken place IN THE WORLD'S HISTORY"-Ronald Reagan – 7/4/23
Video links…
From US National Archives: July 4th - Declaration of Independence Reading Ceremony 2023
From History.com: What Happened on July 4
ICYMI > From The American Minute with Bill Federer (video): American Minute for July 4 - The U.S. Declaration of Independence was approved on this day in 1776.
Onward and Upward! –
From Bannon's War Room: Episode 2850: The Spirit Of America Is To Question – 7/3/23
From Huckabee: Jim Caviezel & Tim Ballard on the DARK SIDE of the Border Crisis | The Sound of FREEDOM – 7/3/23
From Bannon's War Room: Bannon: The Only Way We Keep The Republic Is YOUR Agency, The Purpose Of July 4th – 7/1/23
From Facts Matter with Roman Balmakov: US Supreme Court Goes 9-0 in Surprise Ruling – 7/3/23
From American Center for Law and Justice: BREAKING: Supreme Court OUTLAWS Affirmative Action – 6/29/23
From American Center for Law and Justice: Fighting For Freedom As We Celebrate Independence – 7/3/23
From The Gateway Pundit (w/video): France Has Fallen: Right-wing Politician Marine Le Pen Addresses the French Nation as the Country Grapples in Anarchy – 7/2/23
From American Minute with Bill Federer: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: "Government OF the PEOPLE, BY the PEOPLE, FOR the PEOPLE" ... Will it "perish from the earth"? –
Podcast - From The Glenn Beck Show: TheBlaze - Guests: Tim Ballard & Stephen Mansfield – 7/3/23
From Lawrence Jones of FOX: US vets reflect on what service means ahead of the country's 247th birthday – 7/1/23
ICYMI > From My Faith Votes: Independence Day from the Old State House - for Independence Day
ICYMI > From Mike Huckabee: What July 4th is REALLY About | Monologue - 7/2/22
From New York Post: Fury at Supreme Court ruling for rights of conscience exposes the left's totalitarian turn – 7/3/23
From Canada Free Press by Tom DeWese: What Price Liberty? A Family Answers the Cal – 7/1/23
From American Greatness: In Remarkable Statement, French Police Unions Condemn ‘Savage Hordes;’ Say France is in a Civil War – 7/3/23
From Breitbart: France Deploys 45,000 Police on Fifth Night of Nationwide Riots – 7/2/23
From The Gateway Pundit: France Has Fallen: Migrant Mob Torch Mayor's Home, Wife and Kids Injured Escaping – 7/2/23
* News From The Growing Free Union -
What affects one, can affect all!
From UPI.com: America's holiday weather: Hot as a firecracker in West, stormy July 4 expected in east – 7/3/23
From New York Post by MIranda Devine: Blowing the lid off the cover-up of Hunter Biden's cushy plea deal – 7/2/23
From American Center for Law and Justice: Shocking Whistleblower Allegation Sends Shockwaves Across Washington – 6/29/23
From Military.com: Army Combat Veteran to Take Over Key Election Security Role Working with State, Local Officials – 6/30/23
From New York Post: This July 4, today's youth are unprepared to win a Revolutionary War – 7/3/23
* News From the States –
News From Indiana - From Liberty Counsel: Indiana Supreme Court Upholds Near-Total Abortion Ban – 6/30/23
News From Pennsylvania - From Washington Examiner: Philadelphia mayor rips Moms for Liberty as 'harmful to youth' – 6/29/23
News From South Carolina -
From One America News Network: Massive Trump Rally, over 50K in small S.C. town – 7/3/23
News From Texas - From The Daily Wire: Ocasio-Cortez - It Is ‘Profoundly Disrespectful’ For Clarence Thomas To Say Blacks Are Not ‘Victims’
News From Utah -
From American Wire News: Bible back on bookshelves after Utah school district banned it for 'vulgarity and violence' – 7/3/23