A nation’s birthday wish: repair our fragile democracy

Monday marks this country’s 246th birthday. On the Fourth of July in 1776, those 13 colonies stated their intention to cast aside the yoke of the British Empire and form their own union of united states with some of the most eloquent words ever written.

The power of the imagery contained in that Declaration of Independence proved far more persuasive than any acts of civil disobedience or anarchy. However, this new nation still was forced to prevail in a prolonged war against its British masters to secure its freedom.

The basic aspirations of every human being — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — formed the basis for the creation of this new nation and the overthrow of Great Britain’s rule.

Almost two and a half centuries later, those sentiments embraced in that document still ring true. Words that inspired those patriots to risk everything in the pursuit of freedom formed the bedrock of the United States, sacrifices we simply take for granted today.

But would those 56 extraordinary individuals who ratified that call for independence recognize what their creation had become?

They’d find the tenor of contemporary America has more in common with events heralding the Civil War, rather than the war for independence.

The deep ideological divide stoked by radical elements of both major political parties threatens to pull this country apart, potentially tearing asunder what thousands of Americans have died to create and preserve.

The blue uniforms of the North and the grays of the South have been supplanted by Red states and Blue states.

In Texas, there’s open talk of succession — a previously unthinkable step that in this political climate no longer seems a far-fetched proposition.

The acrimony and personal hostility displayed by Democrat and Republican politicians would have come as a shock to our Founding Fathers. Had they acted in similar fashion, this country undoubtedly would still be flying the Union Jack, not the Stars and Stripes.

Those wealthy white male merchants and landed gentry realized their momentous undertaking superseded partisan politics and petty personal interests. They’d be dismayed to learn that in today’s political climate, the exact opposite appears the status quo.

They surely wouldn’t understand that in this age of mass information, that so many people would prefer watching news outlets that validate their own insular beliefs, instead of disseminating differing views that help create a more informed opinion, the lifeblood of democracy.

Today, in this country and elsewhere, those patriots would have observed the basic tenets of freedom that they had put in motion are now under siege by enemies both foreign and domestic. And while undoubtedly understanding the danger posed by an increasingly bellicose Russia, they’d be surprised and incensed to learn that the most serious threat to their great experiment of democracy exists within our own borders.

They’d come to realize that words capable of soaring eloquence can also cater to the basest human instincts, enabled immeasurably by the postings of anonymous Internet cowards who can’t be held responsible for their vile speech.

Also, far too often these days, they’d witness conscious efforts to stifle debate while at the same time force-feeding acceptable speech. Over time, if not opposed, that also corrodes our freedoms.

So on this day, we’re reminded again —just as in 1776 — that our way of life comes with a responsibility, which can only be carried out by an educated and involved citizenry.

And that our nation will cease to be a global beacon of freedom and opportunity if we continue to treat those who harbor differing views with disdain, rather than mutual respect.

Given our divisive and dysfunctional state — a top-down, inside-the-beltway phenomenon emanating from the seat of our Republic, that’s a task even our Founding Fathers would find daunting.