President's Message
On Break-Ups and Celebrations
Breaking up after a long relationship can leave you wondering who you are without your significant other by your side. After all, the two of you did everything together. You talked every day. The bond can be so great that many people choose the pain of the known over the fear of the unknown. What is also true is that those brave souls who venture into the unknown often regain their individual identity and experience the joy of reclaiming their individual identity.
Independence Day is probably “the greatest break-up note in history.” America was a loyal partner to the Crown and thought the two of them would always be together …until things went sour. King George III had become more demanding and even erratic. America loved this relationship but, when it had to end, America did not let the Crown down easily. No. She wrote King George a fierce breakup letter that boils down to, “It’s over. It’s not me, it’s you.”
While we celebrate our independence this weekend, we will certainly consider the reclaiming of our unique identity distinct from England. And many will hope that we still have enough strength in our unity to craft A More Perfect Union. The Declaration of Independence, adopted by Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776 and signed by 56 brave souls who at the time were very much still under the power of the British Empire, and had no guarantee this “break-up” would actually hold. After all, there were five years of battles to come before the newly formed United States of America would win the Revolutionary War and truly become free. But those actions taken in Independence Hall on that unseasonably cool July day all those years ago justifiably allow the Fourth of July to be called our nation’s official birthday. But before we celebrate, take a moment to consider the Grievances, a section of the breakup note Declaration of Independence where America mustes the strength to reveal King George for the abuser he was. Here are some of the most scathing portions written in modern English:
We have been patient and have suffered a long time without complaining. If we don’t leave you, that’s our fault. This King wants to become even stronger. He does not listen to us. And we have proof of all his bad acts. Here are the facts for the whole world to see:
The King has lost some grip with reality. He won’t let us decide what we want to do or where we want to go.
The King won’t even let us work out our own internal problems. He tells us not to think for ourselves.
The King ignores us. He created his own rules for us and tries to force us to let all his friends stay in our house whenever he wants. He also isolated us from our friends and colleagues and makes us give him our money so he can spend it on himself and his friends.
The King steals from us, destroys our property, and even physically assaults us.
Through all of this we really tried to make it work. We talked to him directly and, when that didn’t work, we asked his friends to talk some sense into him, but nothing worked.
We wanted to resolve this peacefully, but this relationship has only gotten worse. It will not get better and it is all his fault. If he will not love us and accept us for who we are, then he cannot be our king.
So with that in mind, we deserve to celebrate our American birthday and the true American unity forged in the fire of internal debate. But also take a moment to celebrate just how much stronger we are when we stand as one. Some break-ups really are for the best!
Celebrate. Relax. Enjoy the fireworks…just please be safe while you do so!
As always,
Bruce
