Are You a Patriot?

Today I have a hopeful comment on the state of politics for Independence Day. It starts with a quote from William Jefferson Clinton: “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be fixed by what is right with America. “ Whether you are a tea-partier concerned about illegal immigration and budgets run amuck, or a dyed in the wool liberal still crying about our societal sins of the past (slavery, sexism, oppression, and the evils of capitalism and profit) and eager to pay for all good things with other peoples’ money, America and her systems have the power to heal all if we will only let them.

Just this week we learned of the death of prisoners in CIA custody. In what other society, culture or country would you hear simultaneously that the deaths are being investigated? What other country is built on such principles of accountability? Indeed the principles of the rule of law and individual, inalienable rights are the twin pillars on which our country was not just founded – but built.

In the early days of forming our republic, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were bitter enemies. They founded the two-party system, each developed their own partisan press to personally denounce one another and their compatriots. They reveled in one another’s failure and scandals. Unlike dollars, there is no need to discount our culture back to that time to understand the meaning in context of the time. Sex, bribery, blackmail were all part of the canvass on which our early government was painted. In this respect, we have not grown up as a country. 

Jefferson and Adams, however, after they were both retired, began a friendship documented by extensive correspondence between them. The friendship was based on the understanding and acknowledgement that each had acted from the beginning in the best interest of the country. Jefferson died impoverished and Adams never made much more than the average New England lawyer and much of that was consumed by his profligate children. But each died rich in pride and satisfaction at having created - together - the greatest government in the history of mankind. 

Adams famous last words (on July 4, 1826) were: “Jefferson still lives.” In a most remarkable coincidence, Jefferson had passed earlier on that very same day, the 50th anniversary of American independence. This capped a journey that spanned more than just the 50 years of the young republic – philosophically the two began as opposites, allied with one another to craft the Declaration of Independence and win the Revolutionary War, became mortal enemies in forming the traditions of governing and executing the new American system and finally became dearest of friends in retirement.

The moral of the story: patriots want what is best for their country. Patriots are not interested in what is best for the individual or for special interest groups.  Patriots don’t fight for what is simply “nice” for all or for some and they accept that they cannot save the world but are willing to sacrifice all for their part of it. The extended moral – regardless of views, real patriots will come together in the end and celebrate having fought the good fight. So the Independence Day question for you: Are you a patriot?

John Adams counted on the existence of patriots with genuine appreciation for the American experiment. On the eve of the signing of the declaration of independence, he wrote his wife: “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”

Here’s wishing you bonfires and illuminations, happy reflections and acts of devotion.