From the Desk of Bill Horn
Happy Independence Day!
By Supervisor Bill Horn
On the 235th birthday of America, we have much to be thankful
for as we reflect on the birth of our nation. At the same time,
there is reason to be concerned about what we have become and
where we are headed.
There is a dispute about the actual day of independence and
whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence
on July 4. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration
was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776.
Personally, I am glad that Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and
Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they signed the Declaration
on July 4. Somehow, Happy Second of August doesn’t have
quite the ring of the Fourth of July.
America has celebrated the birth of our nation in many ways;
some of which would present problems today. In 1777, thirteen
gunshots were fired, once at morning and again as evening fell.
You would likely have run into noise complaints today. Also
on that day, there were prayers given along with fireworks.
We’ve seen attacks on prayer at various public events
and there are those who want to keep fireworks away from the
water. In Brooklyn, New York, ever since 1916 they’ve
had Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. So far the nation’s
food police haven’t put a stop to that yet.
While July 4th is Independence Day. there’s no denying
that we live during a time when America is growing increasingly
dependent on other nations. Yes, red, white, and blue are the
colors associated with the U.S.A.; however, there is no doubt
red is the dominant color when it comes to our nation’s
finances. China, Japan and the United Kingdom own more than
two trillion dollars of America’s debt.
The world clothes us, it shods our feet, and nourishes our
bodies. Most of our clothing is imported. Nearly all of our
shoes come from abroad and 80% of our seafood is imported. Korea,
the Netherlands, Japan, China, and Germany supply most of our
steel, while it is virtually impossible to buy an American-built
vehicle that’s assembled with 100% American-built components.
We all know where most of our oil comes from and estimates are
that the top 15 percent of publishers account for 80 percent
of foreign books published in China.
Independence came with a price in 1776 and since then our freedom
has required the ultimate sacrifice of patriotic men and women
who have fought for liberty’s just cause. Others have
labored hard to keep our government leaders in check and with
a few notable exceptions; we still remain a government of the
people, by the people and for the people. We can, for the most
part, pray in public wherever we want, express our opinions
however we wish, and bring up our children as we see fit. There
are no limits on where we can travel, the clothes we can wear,
and how we choose to spend our money.
While it is true that much of our American way of life is supplied
from abroad, we also know that no nation in the world offers
the unlimited opportunities that are ours for the taking. More
often than not, in the spirit of America, with vision, courage,
determination, and hard work, dreams can come true.
Happy July 4th or to the nitpickers of history, Happy August
2nd.
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Bill Horn is the Fifth District County Supervisor, which
includes Valley Center, Pauma Valley and Palomar Mountain.
