Celebrate freedom, and vow to never take it for granted

Lately, the news hasn’t been good. As the recession continues, the U.S. unemployment rate has risen to 9.5 percent. American car companies are struggling. So are other manufacturers. The nation is involved in two overseas wars.

Illinois’ state government, debt-ridden and rudderless, may start cutting essential services to the elderly, poor, sick and young. The state’s jobless rate tops 10 percent.

Amid all that, however, there is good news.

Very good news.

Actually, it’s great news.

It’s what we celebrate today, and what we sometimes take for granted: freedom.

We should never forget the great risk taken by the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence back in 1776. When they pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the cause of freedom, they meant it. If the fight for independence had failed, these men – traitors to the British crown – would have paid the ultimate price.

But they succeeded, and in this grand old country, founded 233 years ago today, we are free to live our lives as we see fit, with a minimum of outside control.

We can say what we like, associate with whomever we wish, peaceably assemble wherever we desire, engage in the religious worship of our choosing, keep informed through a free press, criticize our leaders, run for public office, and petition the government for redress of grievances.

That’s just for starters.

Along with personal and political freedoms, people have a tremendous amount of economic freedom. Ours is truly a land of opportunity. Individuals can pursue whatever careers they wish. The only real limits are those they place on themselves. Through study, training, hard work, ingenuity and mobility, people still can make a good life for themselves and achieve their dreams.

And what a big country in which to dream. The United States, with 304 million people, still has room to grow.

America has come a long way. While currently facing its biggest problems in many years, the nation must not forget its long record of achievement. And Americans look forward to achieving more – to beating back the recession, achieving economic and social justice, seeking new energy sources, improving the lives of the disadvantaged, and curbing government’s insatiable spending habits.