Let freedom, democracy and pluralism ring

Tom Harman

As we mark the 228th birthday of our nation, we must take the time to

celebrate our Declaration of Independence. With great determination,

our Founding Fathers charted a revolutionary course, which has

created a world where we have the freedom to assemble, worship and

speak freely. Thousands more have given their lives in service to our

country to protect these freedoms.

A simple principle sets our nation apart from others around the

world: a government that is of the people, by the people and for the

people. Elected officials in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento do not

make laws by virtue of their own authority, but rather from the

consent of the people.

America is by no means the only democratic nation. But what

distinguishes us is the great respect we show for the individual. It

is not government that moves our nation forward, it’s the hard work

and determination of the American people.

When Americans celebrate our nation’s independence on the Fourth

of July, we do more than barbecue hamburgers and watch fireworks. We

celebrate the values and ideals that make our country such a special

place to live: freedom, democracy and pluralism.

In America, through hard work and determination, anyone can

achieve the American dream.

Recently, our nation suffered a great tragedy with the loss of our

beloved former president, Ronald Reagan. Always the eternal optimist,

President Reagan always saw the United States as being a “shining

city upon a hill.”

In his 1989 farewell address to the nation, President Reagan

described what he saw in that shining city: “a tall proud city built

on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming

with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with

free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity, and if there had

to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to

anyone with the will and the heart to get here.”

As we celebrate the 228th anniversary of our nation’s

independence, may President Reagan’s optimistic vision for America’s

future live on in our hearts.

* TOM HARMAN represents the 67th Assembly and is a Huntington

Beach resident. To contribute to “Sounding Off” e-mail us at

[email protected] or fax us at (714) 965-7174.