Like many of you, I plan to spend this weekend relaxing, re-energizing, and celebrating our nation’s birthday with family and friends. I have fond childhood memories of 4th of July picnics, parades, and fireworks.
As much as we all enjoy the holiday and fellowship opportunities, remember that Independence Day is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of our citizenship. The Declaration of Independence made it clear:
“that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
That was an incredible and lofty goal when the framers drafted the Declaration. That all men are created equal.
While the Declaration acknowledges the equality of man, we as a country have not always achieved the aspirations we set for ourselves. Those principles were denied in practice by many of the same people who promoted them in the past. However, the principles themselves were valid then and remain valid today. Our longevity as the longest-standing form of government in the world today shows that our Constitutional Republic remains the best system for self-governance the world has ever known.
Remember, a “good” government improves over time, with the pull of conservatism and progressivism acting as opposing forces, filtering ideas and initiatives iteratively and over time. A “poor” government’s structures deteriorate, often quickly, as those iterations occur. History shows us the failures of Marxism, Socialism, and Communism. Our republic has improved continuously, albeit not as quickly as most would like.
All humans, as imperfect beings, have repeated the same errors globally and across all of time. World history is awash in such evil, horror, and brutality as slavery, racism, and inequality. However, unlike other nations, America has fought tirelessly to wipe them away in America and abroad. Let us not forget that.
Being American is about much more than the place we call home. It is our commitment to higher principles: liberty, equality, responsibility, opportunity, and self-governance. Please remember that we still live in the greatest nation that has ever existed. I also ask that you never forget the sacrifices our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and their families have made to protect our freedoms and way of life.
Our business serves our government, both State and Federal, and the military that protects us from those that would destroy it. ICS employees defend and advance this nation’s ideals every day. Your work matters greatly to our President, both houses of Congress, the military, your fellow citizens, and all who enjoy America’s freedoms.
Thank you all for your service and dedication to this nation, especially those who will stand watch this weekend.
Have an amazing Fourth of July!
– Steve Goldsby, CEO
