Declaration of Interdependence

Happy Independence Day!  236 years ago the founding fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence and committed themselves to fight for their freedom from England. But it was also a declaration of interdependence, each state leaning on the others as they stood up to face the British empire. The 13 colonies, now states, made this clear in the final line of the declaration: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of the divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

Liberty and freedom are often highlighted as the virtues upon which our nation is based--and so they are. But America is also based on a sense of community, of coming together in our time of need to protect and care for our neighbors as they do the same for us. This sense of community has never been perfect. There have always been excluded groups, whether Native Americans, blacks, women, non-Western European immigrants, or the poor. But throughout the centuries our country has been at its strongest when we stood together and expanded the circle.

Roosevelt understood this when he spoke of the four freedoms:

• Freedom of speech and expression
• Freedom of worship
• Freedom from want
• Freedom from fear

The recent heat wave is a perfect example of how community make us stronger.  Neighbors with power helping those without, drivers (for the most part) stopping at intersections without stoplights to let folks on the side roads through, or utility crews from distant states driving overnight to help out.

Have fun tomorrow (and be safe).  And remember that the Fourth of July is as much a celebration of coming together as a national community as it is of independence from foreign control.