A Republic If You Can Keep It

Little Rock AFB, AR -- "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" --Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

"We hold these truths to be self evident." These words started the Declaration of Independence which began a new experiment in government. A government not based on divine right, theocratic edict, a cult of personality or the power of the state, but on ideals and the consent of the governed. It's these radical ideals -- freedom, equality and democracy -- which form the foundation of the greatest force for good the world has ever known -- the United States of America.

Since its founding, our nation has been a light for those who long for freedom, who desire to worship according to the dictates of their conscience and who seek the opportunity that is limited only by their individual work ethic and adventure. Our nation, along with many freedom-loving partners, defeated global fascism and communism, and gave freedom and hope to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Our nation, although far from perfect, still stands as a beacon to all those denied the basic rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Unfortunately freedom, equality and democracy have been the bane of evil people and regimes who stand opposed to those who champion their ideal. The United States, the most generous nation on earth, is hated by those who despise our values and whose malevolence demands that others live according to the yoke of their ideology. We continue to face ideologies every bit as evil and destructive as Nazism and communism were before them, and freedom requires vigilance and continuous defense.

After our nation's freedom had been won, Benjamin Franklin was asked what type of government the constitutional convention had contrived. He responded, "A Republic, if you can keep it." I don't know how Mr. Franklin characterized the threats to our new nation -- internal dissension, economic viability or external powers--but I do know that the defense of freedom will prevail over the ideologies of hate if we, like our founding fathers, mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

On this Independence Day weekend, I'm grateful for those who continue to keep our republic safe by serving in the defense of her ideals. May God bless the United States.