Independence Day, usually now referred to by just its date, the 4th of July, has devolved into another State holiday where Americans shoot off fireworks and celebrate “the troops.”  Rather than celebrating freedom, we’re being instructed to celebrate empire and war.

In a way it’s fitting that a holiday meant to commemorate the ideals of the enlightenment, where educated wealthy men who formed a natural aristocracy threw off the chains of an oppressive foreign government and founded one based on individual rights, has come to this.

Why do I say this?  Well the very men who promoted and carried out the American Revolution proved quite tyrannical in their own right when they themselves came to power.

A few examples:

George Washington, the father of our country, also put down the whiskey rebellion (a tax protest) by force.

John Adams threw aside free speech concerns with the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Thomas Jefferson used “public money” to purchase a giant piece of land through the Louisiana Purchase without consulting Congress.

James Madison launched a war of conquest against Canada.

Happy 4th!