Happy INDEPENDENCE Day, America!

What is independence, really? What does July 4th mean to you? How long will we be celebrating our independence as a reality vs independence as a by-gone notion?

Of course, July 4th brings many American’s minds rightly back to 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed into history. That day was no doubt rife with an array of emotions as the founding fathers boldly and bravely STOOD up for their cause and signed that now famous piece of parchment. If it worked, their minds no likely could not truly fathom the real freedoms that would be realized. If it didn’t work, the sacrifices of our founding fathers would probably have been footnoted in some history book.

Today, two centuries after the inauguration of independence, untold lives lost, blood spilt, bodies maimed, families and friends ripped apart, independence endures as the back bone of America’s beauty. Independence has a sister, Liberty, and together they breathe life into each of her citizens while they explore life’s opportunities and purpose.

But independence comes in different shades, forms, and contrasts. While we think in terms of generalities when mentioning Independence and July 4, there are other kinds of independence that are no less brilliant and on exhibition in our wonderful nation. Today, July 3rd, Governor Sarah Palin declared her own independence when she demonstrated her outstanding moral courage and nature and informed her fellow Alaskans she’d be resigning her role as Governor. She did it for so many reasons, all wonderful, but one of them showed her own sense of independence in a quintessential way. She announced to the world that she would not remain as Governor, as a ‘lame duck’ Governor, taking advantage of the ‘perks’ of her office, as many politicians do, because she has worked conscientiously for the people of her state. She regards not only the folks she represents, but the state and its nature, with utmost respect and honor. She honors her own personal integrity in making this bold and historic decision. It matters not if in the future she begins to campaign as a potential Presidential candidate, she could have done that like so many others, and remained on the payroll enjoying the benefits being Governor enjoys. There are simply no words to truly define what an exceptional and outstanding display of integrity and INDEPENDENCE Governor Palin demonstrated. She truly took the lead in doing what was right, in her mind, soul and heart, and anyone who faults her for that runs the risk of appearing truly lacking in their own moral character and personal integrity. If you will lead at all, lead with dignity and honor. Gov. Palin is in the lead on both counts!

For the record, Ms Palin was never my ‘idea’ of a candidate. I did not approve of the stereo typing she engaged on the campaign with Senator McCain. But that is simply my personal opinion. Their ticket got our vote nonetheless. ‘Personal opinions’ aside, I have appreciated her willingness to speak her mind, stand up for what she believes in, and her unflinching sense of self confidence. We wish she and her family all the best and congratulate them on their INDEPENDENCE!

It seems appropriate that anytime one ponders July 4 and Independence one also include positive thought, best wishes, and prayerful consideration to our active duty military personnel. They truly know the cost of freedom. Their families and friends deserve our prayers and best wishes as well for their own sacrifices. Gratitude should be expressed also to the veterans and former active military folks who have served for their country’s Freedom/Independence.

Lastly, the question: Will we know Independence next July 4th as we know it today?

The Obama administration has promulgated a dangerous bill through the House, the Clean Energy Bill, as it is ‘nick named’. Included in this bill, should it pass the senate, is a standard for all homes, appliances, vehicles, etc. Smart appliances are to be developed and sold to replace those we currently have. California is the model the Clean Energy Bill holds up as the standard bearer. Until recently, California entertained that PCT, programmable communication thermostats, would use radio frequency, allowing utility companies to regulate the thermostats in your home remotely. Ostensibly, they sold the concept by alleging the utility company would only control the thermostat during ‘high peak’ usage. The 2008 standards were to mandate all new homes and air conditioners would have the radio frequency device included. Ponder this: the Clean Energy Bill, also known as the Cap and Trade, contains the directive that any homeowner who decides to sell their home would be required to retrofit their home to bring it up to the new standards -- prior to the sell. So, those homes already built prior to the passage of this bill, which would be ‘grandfathered’ in, would only be exempt from retrofit until such time as the homeowner decided to sell. New home construction would be done with California standards as the regulatory standard and only Smart appliances would be permitted. California decided to abandon their PCT radio frequency standard due to the ‘big brother’ish’ sort of invasiveness of that bill. Seems Californians objected to that much ‘green mania’. The technology is out there and the Cap and Trade leaves little room for doubt that our homes, our vehicles, our lives will be devoid of privacy and our independence diminished to nearly zilch!

As you enjoy your independence this July 4th week end, please resolve to stand your ground for independence. Do not let the government strip away that which has cost so much and means so much by exploiting the conscientious desire of American’s to preserve nature! Do not let politicians legislate our INDEPENDENCE out of existence with the Cap and Trade and Universal Health Care bills! Be sure to inundate your senators with letters, faxes, tweets, text messages, whatever you can to let them know they must vote NO! Let them know YOU vote for INDEPENDENCE and LIBERTY and not for burdensome taxation without representation or bondage and slavery to the government. Thomas Jefferson would likely remind us: “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” Incising our Independence from our lives by legislation clearly falls under the ‘abuses and usurpations’ portion of Mr. Jefferson’s declaration. Will President Obama be remembered as the "Red Coat" Threat of this century that inspired a current day revolution because of burdensome taxation and oppression of the people and their sovereign states?

Do America proud and LIFT UP LIBERTY

INVOKE INDEPENDENCE!