This Independence Day, let me reflect on the qualities that have made America the Best, most Prosperous, and most Free Nation on God’s Green Earth. From the moment the first new settlers in America stepped foot on the continent, God was their constant companion, their motivation, and their Rock. The Pilgrims gave thanks to their God Almighty, when the natives helped them get the most from their land, and survive the forbidding wilderness that awaited them when they escaped from tyranny in Europe. The Declaration of Independence, perhaps the most important Founding Document in the history of Mankind, says this:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Notice that the Unalienable Rights come from the Creator. This is most important (and is now in serious question by many in our country). Just in case you might be wondering, the term “Unalienable” means “not able to be removed”. No one can deny a person an unalienable right, because they are bestowed by God.

Unlike most other countries in the Old World, America was not founded by people looking for territory, or slaves, or gold (although some was found!), but they were seeking Liberty to live in the way they deemed most conducive to their prosperity. America was founded on the IDEA of LIBERTY, and the Declaration also says:

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, 

Unlike countries of Europe which were Monarchies ruled by Kings, America would have no Ruler, but the government would be responsive to the People, to the Governed, and required their Consent to be legitimate. The Founders of America were learned, pious, religious men, who had the learning of Antiquity to inform their thought, as well as their own most extraordinary thinking and writing. No group of men, before or since, has had the same combination of Learning and Writing and Character as our Founders. I think most people do not appreciate today, what unusual and awe-inspiring they were.

Unlike the countries of old Europe, anyone willing to cast off the shackles of monarchy, slavery, or feudalism can become an American. Just try to immigrate to France today, and try to become a Frenchman. It’s much more difficult, and even if you speak fluent French, the people will never really think of you as a Frenchman. America is different that way, and should always remain so. The combination of Liberty and a Free Market made America the most prosperous, for the highest percentage of its population than ANY country in the entire world, and America still has the population with the most diverse population in history (I just hate that word that has been so corrupted by the Left, but it remains the most descriptive). The meme below captures this in a good way.

If you are a member of X/Twitter, you see hundreds of posts about celebrities who claim that they will leave America if their hated candidate is elected. Funny, but they never actually do so! It’s unfortunate that, instead of leaving, they engage in the worst kind of violence and destruction, taking their childish anger out on their fellow citizens and small businesses, like what happened in the summer of 2020.

I love my Country, and I appreciate its founding, its hard-working, generous people (Americans give the most to charity of the citizens of any other land), and its natural beauty. I have had the privilege of visiting many different places in America. Here are some of those places.

Mount Baker and the Skagit Valley of Northwest Washington State, where I live.

Coachella Valley of Southern California

Soda Butte Creek, Yellowstone National Park

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Yes, from Sea to Shining Sea, America remains the world’s Greatest Nation. Celebrate its birthday today, and give thanks to God for the Founders and their vision of Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.