A special day today (#155)

The fourth of July commemorates an ideal. The right of people to participate in the formation and function of their government. The ways of strongman rule, monarchies, oligarchies and theocracies don't have validity as means of rule in our American society. This is the great strength of America and it's most precious gift to the world. Recently we have seen the type of governments that don't measure up to our standard of governance. North Korea and it's despotic rule which manipulates and exploits it's citizens for the pleasure of a few. Iran where the people are fed a lie, that they have a choice in choosing their President, when the only candidates who can run for President must first be approved by the Supreme Ayatollah. America's form of Democracy is clearly the best system for allowing freedom and liberty to flourish collectively and individually for it's citizens. We celebrate our independence from Great Britain 233 years ago specifically, but generally we celebrate our independence as a reminder to the world that our government allows us to prosper and innovate our lives and can be an example to the rest of the world to join in our practice of honoring it's citizens with a means to pursue happiness. I offer America's hand out to all the world to join in the American experiment and enjoy the fruits of equality and friendship.