America’s 250th birthday approaches rapidly. Tragically, too many Americans are acting as if there is nothing special about July 4, 2026. But a nation without patriots who love her is a nation heading for destruction. Only a nation with numerous loyal and fervent patriots can survive, thrive, and be great.
During the American Revolution, historians estimate, only about a third of the population was truly dedicated to the cause of independence and freedom, while a third opposed it, and the rest of the population was lukewarm either way. That’s not inaccurate to our modern situation either, I think. The question is whether the minority of Patriots can now save America as the Patriot minority once founded America.
My fellow Americans, the generations who came before us gifted us the greatest country on earth, the only country in history founded on principles instead of desire for power, the only country that declared only God would be its King. But as Ronald Reagan warned us, freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
Freedom is always fragile. There will always be men who wish to be tyrants and other men willing to accept tyranny as a trade-off for “safety” or freebies. Some slaves are content to remain slaves, and men with power will always feel the temptation to seize yet more and more. Indeed, our Founding Fathers, being wise men, knew as much. That is why our Republic was not either a monarchy or a democracy but had checks and balances, recognizing inviolable rights of We the People but also distributing authority carefully across several branches of government. Unfortunately, we have since committed nearly all the mistakes against which George Washington and his fellow Founders warned us. Do we wish to restore our Constitution or watch wicked men trample it?
Recommended: 250 Years Ago, Jefferson and Friends Completed a Draft Declaration of Independence
The Founding generation staked their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Abraham Lincoln, after he became president, expressed his willingness to suffer assassination in the cause of liberty. Samuel Fletcher lied about his age of 14 years to join the Union Army. Immigrant Al Jolson tried to join the military too as a teen during the Spanish-American War, and he always wept at the National Anthem. During WWI and WWII, our whole nation rallied behind the troops “Over There.”
And yet already by the Vietnam War, worthless wokies were spitting on veterans in the streets and hurling enemy propaganda at heroes. Now mobs of old and young alike protest in support of foreign terrorists and illegal alien criminals, and politicians brag about putting other nations first. What happened to America? Why are we not going all-out in every town in America to celebrate?
Tragically, it seems as if America is increasingly becoming a socialist oligarchy. Democrats are the main culprits, but Republicans are doing very little to stop it. And even many conservatives support federal programs and encroachments that would make the Founders turn over in their graves. Are we going to watch national suicide occur because we’re afraid? Or will we rediscover the philosophy and courage of the Founding generation?
