by Jesus Alaniz
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being accompanied by a single mother during a photoshoot in Chicago. I’d noticed her opinions before and was very pleased that she seemed to be an educated and well informed person. It was at that time I had an epiphany between the struggling working class trying to make ends meet and the politicians I’ve helped.
There are two significant dates regarding the Declaration of Independence. The first is the usual and customary date of July 4th which is celebrated with parades and festivities consisting of people and politicians who call themselves Americans and who lack courage and would rather compromise and sell your soul for their welfare in the “spirit of getting things done”. It has become easier for some to cast ballots for phony Founder wannabes who promises to reform & restore their Liberties only to have them bartered and sold far away at market prices.
The second and probably the most important date is July 2, 1776 in which John Adams wrote in a July 3, 1776 letter to his wife Abigail Adams, “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.” Not so long ago I sat by the river and watched an American Bald eagle fly overhead and I thought of the politicians who come to you asking you for your support only to have them give you an excuse as to why they can’t endorse you or your candidate when you need it. Recently I’ve had people find me and thank me for the letters I write. My heart pours out for the young and old who tell their friends and families about my letters without any fears of retribution, reputation, or fear of losing everything. The introduction to the Declaration reads “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…” I believe the time is coming for me to break away from the politicians who lack the courage to fight. The last line reads “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.” Trust me I will never confuse that honorable single working mother with the slick politician. On this Independence Day I say, “Those who have little and are willing to risk all in the cause of freedom & right, are mine and belong to me – let freedom ring.”
