July 4th, Independence Day, is a meaningful day for me. It is about independence from the tyranny of bosses, freedom to do what one wants as long as we don't affect the freedom of others, a time to celebrate our country's founding and all that we have today. I have no doubt it is our independent culture that makes our country resilient, able to rise up as a nation when needed.
I have always had a streak for independence, thus leaving two jobs prematurely. I felt more at home when acting independently by starting different businesses. It wasn't the same for the rest of my family. They were involved in public service or education all their lives. My father worked for the U.S. State Department. My uncle, my dad's youngest brother, worked for the Voice of America for 34 years, starting in San Francisco, moving to New York, and finally to Washington, DC. My other uncle worked his career as an architect for San Francisco. My brother was in education his whole life and retired as Vice Chancellor of a California community college district. For the past 28 years, I have been running a consulting business.
July 4th is also a time to appreciate the cost of independence, the sacrifice of others. We remember those who serve and served in the military. I appreciate my parents who were both killed in service to our country. After their deaths, I received a handwritten letter from the CIA director at the time lamenting the loss of my parents. Until then, my brother and I had no knowledge that my parents worked for the CIA. I love living in Washington, DC, because I am reminded daily about the cost of independence-the monuments to great people who built our country and monuments to the sacrifices made by the military (memorials to WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, and Arlington Cemetery).
Even with all the bickering in Congress, the corruption among some civil servants, the stupidity of some congress persons, I remind myself that the United States still stands for important moral, ethical, and political hopefulness. With freedom to act and move, behavioral perfection is impossible because we are not 'required' to act in only one way. While the U.S. may no longer be #1 in education or is the healthiest place on earth, or the best place to do business, on balance the U.S. is still a powerful, caring country. We spend much across the globe to further our aims, but also to help others.
My observation is that most Americans 'don't care' unless it begins to cause us personal discomfort. Then the ability of our citizens to rise up and take action is possibly greater than any other country in the world. I just watched a documentary about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The U.S. was in a depression with people totally focused on surviving to live. It was a difficult time for the entire country. The Japanese military planned well and succeeded to cripple the U.S. naval fleet at Pearl Harbor. However, once the American people got over the shock, America came back to out produce all the nations of the world to win the war and establish the peace. I would never underestimate what Americans can do when we join together! We, the people, will rise up with great strength to defend our independence, our way of life! Warts and all, there is no other country like the United States! This is why I am proud to be an American and celebrate Independence Day!
© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com
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