What is freedom and independence?

[WIlliam Michael]

I love the United States of America.

Growing up in America has been an awesome experience though my life has been filled with lots of
ups and downs. Though the downs have been difficult I can honestly say
that I was the only one responsible for the pains that I suffered.

The great thing about America is being in control of your own destiny, as
the true meaning of will free is something I know I have not fully
appreciated. The ability to worship God without anyone telling me what I
need to think or how I should pray is truly liberating yet is difficult
at the same time especially when I have never felt the pain and
suffering of living in a country outside of America where one's life
could be lost because of faith.

Living in America I have been granted every privilege considering I grew up in a family, like a
majority of American’s that was not wealthy. From my earliest memories
I can remember YMCA Indian Guides with my Dad, a limited time with the
Boy Scouts, being an altar boy, soccer, t-ball, ROTC, attending private
school, family vacations across the country and world as I was truly
blessed to have a father who worked for a major airline so I could see
the world.

I can remember traveling the world and realizing how fortunate I was to live in America. As strange as this might sound, I
wasn’t appreciative of my status as an American citizen as well as
feeling content with the things I had and the how great it was to live
in United States. Instead I did the opposite. I felt entitled and
wanted more and more regardless of how I had to get it.

My younger years were difficult as nothing was ever good enough. No matter
what I did there didn't seem to be consequences and when there were
consequences it was hardly punishment. Looking back I often asked
myself what went wrong.

To be honest, I fell into the trap of entitlement. I felt I deserved whatever it is I wanted because of a
lack of appreciation for what I had or any consideration as to the hard
work others had to make in order for me to live the way I do.

I didn't have to fight an American revolution or put my life on the line
for any world war. In fact, I didn't have to do anything at all except
enjoy freedom. Yet, freedom isn't free and how could I appreciate
freedom when I was able to get whatever it is I wanted?

The American foundation has been built upon the pains of those who have
lived and died in the name of freedom since the beginning of the United
States. Blood, sweat, and tears is what makes America strong versus the
years where American's like me haven't had to do anything to enjoy the
freedom associated with citizenship.

I am one of the entitled ones I often write about in disgust. Being 39 years old I am part of a
generation who feels entitled who in turn have created children who feel
even a greater sense of entitlement.

My parents had it rough growing up and wanted a better life for me. As a result they were not
tough on us when it was time to be punished. This made me soft, though I
appreciate what my parents did because they didn't want me to have the
same life they had. The result has been that many of us in my
generation have had difficult lives because lack of moral values. Don’t
get me wrong; I grew up in a great Christian family with amazing
parents with strong moral values, yet I didn’t really care about my
faith or others until way later in my life. Who cared if I hurt
someone in the process of getting what I want. This attitude of
entitlement has created even more socially irresponsible entitled
children who don't even remember or care about the history of the United
States. This attitude is being amplified because of the lack of
discipline in the home and the nightmare our schools have become due the
lack of God and any moral values in the classroom.

Yet, repentance is what makes America great. We are One Nation Under God.
Though it happened later in my life God was there waiting for me to wake
up to one day and let me go back into his arms. He never gave up on me
nor has he ever given up on anyone while they still have any breath of
life in their lungs.

Being a believer in God has been liberating especially living in a society with complete freedom. Sure,
we complain about our freedom and liberties being taken away, but
seriously we still have a few good years to fight the good fight. Early
American's had it far tougher prior to the American Revolution. How
much easier do we have it especially when we realize God is in control?

I love America as I apologize this 4th of July to every American I may
have ever hurt as I send out a big thank you to those who have fought
the good fight and sweated the blood and tears that have established
what we know as the United States of America.

The hard times we are facing as a nation will only wake more people up like me and ensure
the future of the United States is based on strong moral values. I
have hope for America and look to the great achievement of our potential
future.

Times of uncertainty are good for the United States as the last thing we want are years like I lived where there wasn't a good
fight to fight and freedom was taken for granted. Rather, the time is
now to truly give thanks for living in the greatest country to ever
exist, yet at the same time we much truly start praying for others to
awaken to the knowledge of God because the march of all marches is about
to take place.

The lines are being drawn in the sand and the lines aren't being either blue or red, or republican, democrat or tea
party. The line is either you are with God or you are against God.
Being a strong Christian man, though I still have a lot to do in order
to turn my life around, I will do everything I can until my last breath
to help bring the people of the United States back to the reality that
we are One Nation Under God.

If not now, then when will we all awaken to this reality? We must put the mistakes of our past behind us
and put God back on the throne as you thoughts, comments and responses
are welcomed at DemocracyMarch.org.


Happy 4th of July and God Bless America!

[Lynn O]

Congratulations for waking up and becoming what we need to turn this country back to where it belongs and to whom it belongs - the one and only that gave us our inalienable rights (you know the ones the government keeps trying to take credit for). God will help us as long as we are humble enough to keep asking - my dad (age 83 this month) called me the other day when it was reported that Sen. Byrd passed away and his response to me was very simplistic - God is still with us - he is removing the obstacles that are standing in our way - even if not in the way we would do it.
Enjoy the celebration of Independence Day and keep waking up all the people you know. Force them to listen to you for you speak the truth - as the Brits like to say "Right will out!"