Kontos Column: Celebrating our Independence Day
By Dan Kontos
Independence Day has always been a time to celebrate, not just the full swing of summer with brats and burgers on the grill, but to really look back and celebrate how our nation has shown brightly as a beacon of freedom and prosperity.
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for the independence of the then 13 British colonies, and two days later delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence. Now 246 years later, the United States is still celebrated as the greatest nation on earth. Yes, you read that right.
Never mind what the America-haters say, with their revisionist history, lies, and contempt for the vast majority of normal Americans. Disregard the radical left and socialists with their quest for power and relevance by seeking the destruction of all that is quintessentially American.
Even our failed Lieutenant Governor, Mandela Barnes, who is now hilariously running for US Senate (talk about your classic Peter Principle), said this past weekend that the founding of America was “awful.” How can a man who has accomplished so much, and risen to such heights, despise the very nation that allowed him to achieve what he has today? I dismiss him out of hand as an unserious person.
Take a moment to look for yourself.
We are an exceptional nation, born and blessed by the hand of God. We fought one of the most powerful armies in the world (twice) to gain and maintain our freedom—wars we probably should not have won. It was our destiny it would seem.
We drafted one of the greatest pieces of legal literature to ever be written; our Constitution. Not because it gives power to the government, but because it assumes that our rights are God-given, not government-given. Rights that a government grants, they can take away. Rights that come down from above can never be withdrawn. We continuously strive to perfect ourselves along the way and have come quite far in what (historically speaking) is a short period of time.
Our people are amongst the most generous and kind in the world. We are a unique, yet diverse nation, with beliefs, ethnicities, and political views that stretch across the spectrum. Although the establishment media would have us believe that we are a racist and hateful nation with evil in our hearts, most of us simply have never experienced such claptrap. We are eager to help our neighbors and those in need, passionate about our devotion to this great land, and quick to give of ourselves for our community. We often fight and die for others to have freedom, and claim nothing in return, except some land to bury our dead.
We live in a land where everyone is free to work as hard as they want, to strive to become whatever they care to be, and where equality of opportunity (not equity of outcome) is our never-ending goal as a people. Freedom and liberty are our guiding principles, not because our government makes us free – oh, far from it, but because it is who we are.
This nation, from shore to shore, is a wonder of beauty and charm. From the wilderness of Alaska to the beaches of Hawaii and Florida to the Grand Canyon, the peaks of our majestic mountains, our lakes and rivers, and everything in between. We live in a magnificent land with a variety to fit every taste, and it’s only a short trip away.
I was blessed to have just come back home after a three-week trip to Europe. It certainly wasn’t my first vacation outside of the United States, to be sure. I even once lived in Europe for a few years, so I am familiar. I love the charm, the history, the variety of foods, peoples, and sights.
While I am far from fluent in foreign tongues, and my words from different languages humorously blended together at times, I enjoyed talking to locals about history and other topics—including politics. I proudly answered that I was from the United States when I was inevitably asked. While some had been to America before, without fail, the impressions they had were that we were a blessed and good people. While the politics may confuse them (as well as it does me too at times), they were envious of our sense of freedom and individualism.
English-speaking television (specifically CNN and BBC) hilariously and predictably spewed anti-American vitriol every day – like the failed January 6th kangaroo committee circus, while local news broadcasts were more concerned about real events. Energy, inflation, Ukraine, and local affairs dominated the airwaves. It felt good to disconnect from self-loathing propagandists for a while.
It was great to get back to the States, just in time to celebrate our independence with friends and family at a good old-fashioned cook-out. While the weather kept us inside, it was still a marvelous time to remember why we are so blessed as a people; as a country. Yes, I still grilled in the rain.
Now renewed and recharged, filled with a hopeful pride for our nation, it’s time to get back to work, for there is a lot to do. I truly hope your Independence Day was memorable for you too.
So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, honestly, and with a healthy respect for each other. Until then, God bless.
Dan Kontos is a paid columnist for the Metro Wire. He chooses his own topics and his opinions do not necessarily represent the staff of the Metro Wire. He lives with his family in Whiting.
We are seeking a liberal columnist. Anyone with interest should email [email protected].
