As they head to their favorite beaches on this Independence Day holiday, Americans are grateful for many things and have many reasons to be optimistic.

They benefit from the most unique and successful political experiment in human history, a country founded on the principle that an individual has rights and value given by God… and they are secure in the knowledge that their elected representatives understand, honor, and respect those rights, and would never do anything which reverses the experiment.

They live in the most prosperous nation that ever existed, prosperity directly attributable to private property rights and the ability of private individuals to engage in free enterprise, both of which are guaranteed by the Constitution... and they don’t see anybody trying to infringe on those rights by confiscating private property, or restricting an individual’s right to engage in whatever legal commercial enterprise he chooses, or using the power of government legislation to favor some people over others.

They respect the honor and character of their president, Barack Obama... who would never stand in front of them and say words which he knows are factually incorrect or blame other people for problems he caused.

They trust in the stewards appointed by President Obama to guard the nation’s wealth, principles, and safety; people like Timothy Geithner, Janet Napolitano, Eric Holder, Van Jones, and Elena Kagan... each and every one of them attuned to the needs of their fellow citizens, committed to ignoring political ideology, and possessing reputations for operating at the top of their professions.

They admire the steadfast dedication to his job shown by President Obama, and his work ethic, and his maturity, and his buck-stops-here acceptance of responsibility... necessary attributes for any leader but especially for the leader of the most powerful nation on Earth.

They take comfort in the fact that their president is, like all presidents before him, a Christian born and raised, imbued with the same Christian principles and faith which are shared by the vast majority of Americans... not somebody who could participate in a hate-filled communist-affiliated cult which merely uses the word “Christian” as a disguise.

They appreciate the way the nation’s political leaders share in the economic hardship of their fellow citizens... by limiting the number, extravagance, and cost of their government-paid vacations, extracurricular activities, and trips abroad.

And finally, they take comfort in knowing that the people representing them in Washington, D.C., especially in Congress where the nation’s laws are written, are the cream of the crop, the very best and most capable and most honest people who could be found, and they have the nation on a surefire route to recovery and restoration of its former glory... because they never think about themselves instead of the needs of the country and because they’re so doggone smart.

With all that going for them, Americans know that another 235 years of freedom is dead certain.

(Wouldn’t it be nice to write a column like that and believe it?)


From Reno, Nevada, USA        Tweet

July 6, 2011 - When I read this article my eyes filled with tears. This country is filled with brave, free thinking, independent, hard working, faith driven Americans. We deserve so much better from our government officials. - Casey L., Michigan

July 4, 2011 - Liberals believe this $%#@! Liberal papers around the country have feel good articles today, feeding their election propaganda. Another great write Jim! - Todd L., Michigan

J.P. replies: I set out to write a feel-good column, Todd, but fell off my bike.  Optimisim is difficult to maintain when you think about what those brave men dared 235 years ago and then compare them to the cowardly, ignorant, self-serving losers who occupy D.C. today.