Salute freedom that began with first July 4
By: Mae Rhine
In the nearly two years since Sept. 11, freedom has been on many people’s minds.
Freedom means many things. It began when our nation declared itself free of British tyranny and continues today as we declare ourselves and the rest of the world free from ruthless dictators such as Saddam Hussein.
When asked what freedom means to them, many in the United States give the vague stock answers: the freedom to vote, the freedom to live their lives as they will, etc.
What would those answers be if asked of others?
The Iraqis are finding freedom has come at a tough cost. While they are free of Saddam Hussein and his regime, they have little electricity, water, food or jobs. Some may wonder if they are, indeed, better off.
Americans, too, sometimes feel the same way. The grass can seem greener on the other side.
We grumble about the cost of health care and envy countries, such as Canada, that provide that service at no cost to its citizens.
We may wonder if we would be better off in a country with less taxation.
Most of us do realize, however, that our country, even with its problems, is the best place to be.
So what does that vague word freedom mean? Sure, it means the right to vote, the right to live the way we want.
But it means so much more.
Don’t look at it in the grand scale. Just take a minute and look over at your spouse or partner. You’re with that person because you choose to be, for whatever reason. You were not forced to marry or be with that person.
Look at your job. You are there because you are permitted to work and because you may have chosen that career.
Look at your children. The government doesn’t limit how many you can have.
Listen. You can speak your opinion without fear of reprisals as long as you don’t threaten to harm someone or say something slanderous. You can protest the very freedom that exists in our country; you have that freedom.
Look at the clothes you’re wearing. You have chosen to wear them; they were not dictated by government or attitudes.
Even that picnic you may be attending tomorrow Independence Day is a result of the freedom you enjoy in this country.
Every part of our lives comes down to the freedom we’ve fought and continue to fight for over hundreds of years.
So, tomorrow, salute this country, with all of its flaws; there’s none better.