Tomorrow we mark the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence.  More specifically, it is our semiquincentennial.  Every Independence Day is special for Americans, or at least used to be.  When our schools actually were forums for education, rather than indoctrination, when students were taught history, love of country, and to appreciate the sacrifices of those who came before them, July 4th was more than just a national holiday.

Today, for far too many, it’s just another day off from work.  A day for barbecue and beer.  They know it’s a day for celebrating with fireworks, but I’m sure precious few of them know why.  For the record, that comes from a prediction made by John Adams shortly after the signing of the Declaration.  “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

I’ve written before of the toll taken on the generations of students who’ve been the victims of educational malpractice.  They’re not taught history or civics.  Instead of respect for the nation whose bounty they enjoy, they’re encouraged to heap scorn on their country, and to be ashamed of their heritage.

I’m no Pollyanna.  America is the greatest nation on the face of the Earth, but it’s no utopia, and far from perfect.  But to those who would dwell on our faults, I ask, “Has such a utopia every existed anywhere else?”  Sure, there are parts of our history that weren’t pretty.  Some were downright ugly.  The point is that young people should be learning all of our history, the good, the bad and the ugly.

But don’t take my word for it.  That sentiment was part of the message expressed by John Hancock, in his famous speech to the Second Virginia Revolutionary Convention, in Richmond, on March 23, 1775.  “Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?  For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.  I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.  I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.”

He ended the speech with the well known words, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?  Forbid it, Almighty God!  I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”  Armed with full knowledge of the past, John Hancock was able to understand the stakes.  Liberty, or death.  Absent such knowledge, ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s downright dangerous.

The men who signed the Declaration, lately are derided by scores of highly indoctrinated academic morons, who dismiss them for being all male, all white, some of whom who were slave owners.  All those things are true, of course.  But what’s also true is that any attempt to imprint 21st Century values on 18th Century actors is at best folly, and at worst an evil attempt to take advantage of those whom they’ve chosen to consign to ignorance.

In his Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln, echoing the words of the Declaration, described America as a nation “conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”  The Left, which dominates the media, portrays American history through a Marxist lens; as the struggle between the oppressors and the oppressed.  For them, America is a nation conceived by land theft, motivated by greed, and dedicated to tyranny and inequality.

The Left ignores all progress made toward the ideals stated in the Declaration since 1776.  They have no desire to strive for the “more prefect Union” envisioned by our Constitution.  They are dedicated to but one cause, the destruction of the form of government conceived by the Founders.  Their false message to the world is that the United States is evil.  I’m pleased to see that the foreign visitors who’ve come for the World Cup now realize  they’ve been lied to.  Overwhelmingly, they love our country, our way of life, and even our Ranch Dressing.  By contrast, less than a third of Democrats are proud of America.

Americans founded the first nation on Earth dedicated to self-government.  They tamed a unknown frontier, crossed endless plains, and conquered forbidding mountains, to spread the dream of our Founders across a continent.  In 250 years, the foundling nation of 1776 became the economic powerhouse that has fed the world, powered the world, and in time of war, protected the world from true tyrants who would banish freedom.

In his second inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln called the United States, “the last, best hope of the Earth.”  If that still wasn’t the case, millions wouldn’t be risking life and limb to come here.  The 250th anniversary deserves celebration.  President Trump has tried to properly honor the nation, but, as with all things, he’s met with resistance.

I remember the bicentennial in 1976.  Every part of our country, including Hollywood and the media, joined in the celebration.  Remember the CBS Bicentennial Minutes?  This time, there doesn’t seem to be as much enthusiasm for celebrating America.  We could write it off as a manifestation of Trump Derangement Syndrome, but it’s more than that.

The Trump Administration worked hard to beautify Washington for the 250th.  Fountains that were dry for decades now flow.  The reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial was repaired and resurfaced.  Afterward, the pool was vandalized, its liner slashed, and we’re told that fertilizer dumped in the water contributed to algae growth.  As always, the Left denies these claims, and grotesque neon-haired imbeciles are marching up and down in support, not of their country, but of the algae.  They’ve given new meaning to the term, Scum of the Earth.

The President organized the Great American State Fair.  It was to have exhibits from all 50 States.  Seven States refused to participate.  Pennsylvania sent the most delegates (8) to the Second Continental Congress, but its current Governor refused to participate in the Fair.  In addition, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington opted out.  The one thing all these States have in common is Democrat Governors.  Some pled fiscal problems.  Others claimed that the event was “too partisan.”  If celebrating you country is “too partisan” simply because a Republican happens to be president, then who’s the real partisan?  And if your hatred is more important to you than country, you need to seek help.

As I said, it’s more than just Trump hatred driving these people.  The leftists can’t bring themselves to celebrate a form of government that they hate.  They view the Constitution as merely an antiquated obstacle, to be ignored by superior beings such as themselves.  And they reject the Declaration of Independence.  In a speech on July 4, 1914, Woodrow Wilson dismissed the Declaration as merely “a historical document,” that had no meaning for later generations.  Il Duce Obama bashed it again just last week, saying the Founders “fell short” of their goals.

I think the real reason that those on the Left reject the Declaration is because they stand for and advocate the very things that compelled our Founders to separate us from Great Britain.  Simply put, leftists may protest against “No Kings,” but they practice what the Founders called, the very “injuries and usurpations” of which they declared King George guilty.

The Declaration contains a litany of offenses committed by King George against the Colonies.  A few may sound familiar.  “He has refused to assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”  80% of Americans favor a voter ID requirement.  Democrats refuse to consent.

“He has obstructed the administration of justice by refusing to assent to laws.”  What are sanctuary States and cities, which protect illegal aliens in violation of federal law, but obstructions of justice?

“He has made judges dependent on his will alone.”  Scores of rogue federal judges, appointed by Il Duce Obama and Biden are perverting the Constitution  to frustrate the Chief Executive.

“He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.”  If left to their own devices, Democrats would regulate most businesses, and our very way of life out of existence.  If you doubt me, try to rebuild your burned up house in Los Angeles.

“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us.”  Wielding Antifa terrorists as their enforcement arm, Democrats never miss an opportunity for a good riot.

The Founders summed up their litany of offenses by pronouncing that a leader, “whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” Amen, brothers.  They ended the Declaration with, “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.”

This is important.  Bolshevik Bernie Sanders likes to rail against “the oligarchs.”  Our Founders were men of means, oligarchs, if you will, who risked all to create the first government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” ever conceived.  Had they failed, all their property would have been seized, and they hanged.  Somehow, the revolution spawned by the Declaration succeeded, and the rest is history; the history most of you never were taught.

So when you pop open that beer tomorrow, give some thought to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, in order to give you your day off.  A simple Thank You would suffice.