Good morning. It’s Friday, July 4th, and as you can see from reading this, I’m back to blogging. I had planned to write my review of Jurassic World Rebirth, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. It’s the 4th of July, and Dinosaurs just don’t really fit into it. So DJ lets start this post off with some music. It seems like a good day for Kid Rock’s ‘All Summer Long’

Why today matters more than fireworks and barbecues

Picture this: It’s July 4th, 1776. A group of colonial rebels just told the most powerful empire in the world to take a hike. No more bowing to crowns, no more “Your Majesty this” and “Your Highness that.” They literally wrote a breakup letter to King George III that basically said, “It’s not us, it’s definitely you.”

The Ultimate “We Quit” Letter

The Declaration of Independence wasn’t just a piece of parchment—it was the world’s most epic resignation letter. Our founders didn’t just complain about their boss; they fired him entirely and decided to run the company themselves.

“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.”

Translation: “Hey King George, we’re not your subjects anymore. We’re free people with rights you can’t touch.”

Why This Still Matters (Spoiler Alert: It Really Does)

We Choose Our Leaders

• Then: King George inherited his throne because… well, because his dad was king
• Now: We get to pick who represents us (and fire them if they don’t do their job)
• The Point: Leadership should be earned, not inherited

Individual Rights Are Non-Negotiable

The founders were crystal clear: certain rights don’t come from government—they come from being human. Government’s job is to protect these rights, not grant them as favors.

Below is the inspirational speech that the President gave in Independence Day. It still gives me chills to this day. Why can’t we have this in our leadership?

Power Belongs to the People

Remember when the colonists said “No taxation without representation”? They weren’t just complaining about taxes—they were demanding a voice in decisions that affected their lives. Revolutionary concept, right?

The Modern Relevance Check

In 2025, we still don’t subscribe to kings. That means:

• No one is above the law (not even the people we elect)
• Everyone gets a voice in how we’re governed
• Government works for us, not the other way around
• Freedom isn’t free—it requires active participation

Beyond the Barbecue

Sure, enjoy those burgers and sparklers today. But while you’re celebrating, remember what you’re actually celebrating:

🎆 The audacity of ordinary people who said “enough is enough”
🎆 The courage to risk everything for an idea
🎆 The wisdom to create a system where power flows from the people up, not from kings down
🎆 The ongoing responsibility to keep that system working

Your Independence Day Challenge

This 4th of July, do something revolutionary:

• Read the Declaration of Independence (it’s surprisingly readable)
• Have a conversation about what freedom means to you
• Remember that democracy isn’t a spectator sport
• Appreciate that you live in a place where you can criticize your government without fear

The Bottom Line

248 years ago, a bunch of “rebels” decided they’d rather govern themselves than bow to a king. They chose the messy, complicated, sometimes frustrating work of self-governance over the simple certainty of royal rule.

Today, we’re still living that choice. We’re still saying “we don’t subscribe to kings”—whether they wear crowns, sit in corner offices, or hide behind algorithms.

So fire up that grill, wave that flag, and remember: you’re not just celebrating a holiday. You’re celebrating the radical idea that you get to decide how you’re governed.

Now that’s worth a firework or two. 🎆

Happy 4th of July! May your burgers be juicy, your fireworks be bright, and your appreciation for self-governance be stronger than ever.