This July 4th, we celebrated our democracy and “toward the light”

Meet together with family and friends and celebrate beyond fireworks and barbecues on July 4th, let’s look back at our lasting national ideas, “Everyone is created equally,” and other self-evident truths being eloquently stated towards the declaration of independence. This is the perfect time to pause, consider, reconsider and rededicate the lessons that must be drawn from our great historical inheritance.

This is a wonderful and unique country. We have the oldest constitution in the world. Next year, our country will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. From that time on, when we look at the historical atlas of the world, it was all kingdoms and empires. The founders of our country, immersed in classical style, looked at ancient republics Greece and Rome, in which they piloted a bold course towards American republicanism. That day, this was a fundamental departure from the monarchy, and in taking this step, the founder had committed discord against the king.

I remember when I was in command of USS Gettysburg, there was a framed copy of Gettysburg’s address on the bulkhead of the Captain’s cabin. I often saw the bridge back and forth on those trips. I was always impressed by the fact that Lincoln, at the beginning of his speech, praised the “honorable dead” from the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.

In her speech, Lincoln brought a nation “freely pregnant.” This returned to the Civil War from its establishment, sought a “new birth of freedom.” He emphasized what civil war meant for a future of freedom and democracy. All of that equality was the guiding principle of our country. Only in America was the first time in world history that “all people will be created equally.” Perhaps it is fitting that the battle won on July 4th.

Lincoln’s call for a “new birth of freedom” is more important than ever at our current age. At a moment of decreasing democracy at home and abroad and a pivotal historical transition, we carry out a national conversation that begins in our local areas about how to strengthen our democracy. In the Lincoln era there was a true test of whether our country could meet the ideals and principles of the Declaration. In our time it is still being tested. There are still questions. What does the founder’s words mean to us today?

For our children and grandchildren, this stock remains personal today, and how we answer these questions will affect future generations of Americans. We are the country that we most often look forward to, but it is important to study history and teach our children. It’s also time for us to start teaching citizens again at our school. It is crucial for our future citizens to understand the compact of their citizens.

If we maintain and improve democracy, it is clear that work is our own and all individual citizens must take responsibility. It’s a tough job and we need to be engaged as citizens. Our democracy is based on the consent of our rulers, and we all have agents. Our work is not completed just because we voted. It can inform the elected representatives that they are unhappy with the votes they are taking and the defined policy position.

Also, good citizenship requires us to be well informed. This requires real conversations with real people and is not only interested in listening to a confirmation of opinions and opinions already held. But I believe that if we learn to listen to each other, each of our cities and towns can become democratic labs. We all share so much in common, and there is more than divide us.

The country faces many challenges. There are just a few examples of affordability crisis, income inequality, massive US debt, anxious young people, an increasing number of partisan divisions, and the amount of money that affects our politics. We need to come together as a nation to seek solutions to these problems. But sadly, we have seen instead some of the dark impulses of the American spirit emerge.

Recently, we have seen a disturbing increase in political violence. This is completely non-American and unacceptable. It’s time to tone down rhetoric. We must return to a spirit of tolerance. Tolerance is the pillar of democracy. It guarantees our fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of press and freedom of religion. Tolerance also guarantees the rights of minority parties. Intolerance slowly consumes democracy. In our final analysis, if we want our communities to flourish and our democracy to be stronger, we must acknowledge that we are an obligation to respect and even to respect each other. It’s as old as the golden rules.

Our founder was not perfect. They were just as human as us. But they bequeathed us the most successful models and forms of government that the world still saw, based on ideas at the height of American enlightenment. This should be celebrated. But we also need to acknowledge that our country is not perfect either. It’s an ongoing work, an American experiment in which we all play a role. In the future, when we encounter the dark impulses that arise as a nation and people, we need to call “better angels” as Lincoln has directed. And when we face difficult choices about which path to choose, we tend to be heading towards the light.

So, on July 4th, we will join together as a nation, as we enjoy the blessing of freedom. Happy birthday, America.

William McKilkin is a retired rear admiral of the US Navy and currently lives on his farm in northern Florida.