Gay Conservative

“Let justice be done though the heavens should fall.” –John Adams

“They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary security deserve neither liberty nor security.” –Benjamin Franklin

“In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution.” –Alexander Hamilton

“Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep alive their attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, Judges, and Governors, shall become wolves.” –Thomas Jefferson

“How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments of every hostile nation?” –James Madison

“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” –Thomas Paine

“Honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true policy; let us then as a nation be just.” –George Washington

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!“ –Patrick Henry

Today, America, my country, is two hundred thirty-three years old. Some historians argue that the Fourth of July is an arbitrary date, since the Colonies had been at war with the British for nearly a year by 4 July 1776. In reality, Thomas Jefferson wrote of 2 July 1776 as the day future generations would remember and celebrate, as that was the day the Continental Congress officially voted to ratify the Declaration of Independence. But it wasn’t made public until two days later, which is why we still celebrate the Fourth today.

Despite lack of rations (food), proper clothing, equipment and, in some cases, training, thousands of colonists stood up more than two hundred thirty years ago to tell the British to shove it and go home. Despite failure after failure, they picked themselves back up, bandaged their wounds, and said, “hey! Is that all you got? Get back here, we ain’t done yet!” Every single man who signed the Declaration of Independence lost his whole life; he lost his wife, children and land, saw his house burned to the ground, his brothers hung or set before a firing squad, his reputation destroyed by government labels of traitor and murderer–and STILL stood for what he believed was right. Every single man.

It wasn’t perfect, but they fought. They knew well that the country they were founding would be a place for all people to find freedom. They even fought each other over the wording of the document that we hold so dearly today to ensure that we, in this generation, would still be free. The politicians of this generation, however–most of them, anyway–would have absolutely no ability to sacrifice what our forefathers did. When faced with the prospect of losing anything our politicians today tuck tail and run. They’d rather pass the loss on to us.

Too many people are absolutely clueless as to what was given and the price paid so that we could live our comfortable lives now. Maybe the lack of proper education in American history is what makes the current generation so apathetic. Maybe they’re just too comfortable. Whatever the reason, we cannot afford now to remain immobile. Take the time to educate yourself. We’ll never figure out where we’re going as long as we forget where we’ve been.

“I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” –Thomas Jefferson