This week, Americans are coming together with loved ones to celebrate independence. However, these festivities are set against recent turmoil both domestically and abroad, with ongoing wars and unsettling divides. Our society feels fragmented, marked by strong ideological rifts, government inefficiencies, and rising national debt. Many are left questioning if we’ve seen our best days.
The truth is, despite our difficulties and political disagreements, Americans still do a great deal for each other. What we really need at this moment is a look back at our history and a revival of the principles that founded us.
First off, and I think it’s important to note, that even with our flaws, the United States remains a remarkable country. This was evident during World War II when we played a crucial role in defeating fascism and preventing another dark period in history. Just shortly afterward, we invested over 5% of our national wealth to help rebuild the very nations that were previously our enemies—Germany and Japan. The Marshall Plan not only rejuvenated these countries but also steered the world toward a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity. This sense of “enlightened self-interest” elevated America to a global superpower status and fostered a burgeoning middle class.
Today, despite our challenges, many still see America as a lottery ticket for life itself. It’s inspiring to watch individuals from all around the globe strive to come here. So, as we celebrate on July 4th, it might be a good time to reflect on all of this.
We ought to start by revisiting our history and evaluating how we reached this point. It certainly wasn’t a foregone conclusion. In fact, the journey was quite tumultuous.
After we declared independence, the 13 “free and independent states” were embroiled in conflict under the Articles of Confederation. We had freedom, yes, but also chaos. States were minting their own currencies, imposing tariffs on each other, and contemplating separate deals for trade and security with foreign nations. The lack of centralized tax authority meant that states like Massachusetts had to find their own means of revenue, leading to events like Shays’ Rebellion. That attempt at confederation ultimately failed.
Given those odds, the 55 delegates who convened in Philadelphia in the spring of 1787 faced immense challenges to forge a new legal framework, one that would give rise to a republic rooted in constitutional and democratic ideals.
Looking back, it’s evident that some of their decisions were groundbreaking. They recognized that human nature encompasses both extraordinary capacity for love and sacrifice, along with a potential for darker impulses. To mitigate this, they established checks and balances to ensure transparency and accountability, which protected our republic from the historical tyrannies that have plagued so many nations.
Yet, over time, we have strayed from those foundational principles. Beginning in the progressive era, we have seen a trend toward consolidating power in the federal government, particularly in the presidency, a tendency that both political parties continue to endorse.
This might seem like just a theoretical concern, but it really isn’t. When we initiate change through executive orders instead of engaging in the arduous legislative process, we miss out on the collaborative effort that comes from working together to overcome significant challenges.
In the American Republic, sovereignty belongs to the citizens. Citizens were expected to be self-reliant, exhibiting virtue and discernment. The founders believed that while individuals would seek personal gain, they would also contribute to the common good. It was this balance that considered both present and future generations. Individuals had rights and responsibilities and were expected to be knowledgeable, aware, and active in national issues. Regrettably, many of these foundational principles seem to have faded from practice, leaving us somewhat unbalanced.
Still, there’s a glimmer of hope. The Constitution crafted in Philadelphia was a compromise intended to foster further compromises. The unexpected benefit of necessitating collaboration to survive, what I like to call the “Philadelphia spirit,” forged a sense of common purpose. This powerful unifying force had previously fueled optimism and determination in facing the challenges of the industrial age.
Citizens were also free to pursue their God-given potential, holding on to the hope that their children would have better opportunities. This marked a significant contrast with the old European system, where serfs were born and died as serfs.
It’s true that the American dream wasn’t accessible to everyone initially. However, the high ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence—that all men are created equal—serves as a guiding light for future generations. This is exactly what Martin Luther King Jr. referred to when he mentioned that his dream was “deeply embedded in American dreams,” treating the declaration as a “memo of promise” that everyone could fulfill.
As we celebrate our independence while feeling the weight of necessary changes, let’s take a moment to reignite that “Philadelphia spirit.”
Happy birthday, America!
