Happy Independence Day to Everyone!

As we celebrate the 231st anniversary of our Declaration of Independence from tyranny, let us pause and reflect on a few things.

It is always appropriate to be thankful, today and every day, for the ultimate sacrifices our men and women in the military have made throughout the years that we may continue to observe this holiday. I thank each and one of you, and I thank those who serve their country today. We wouldn't be here without you.

We should also remember from what it was we were declaring our independence.

Enjoy your holiday safely, and do take care to help ensure there will be another one next year. Democracy takes participation, and participation requires that you be informed of the issues, the candidates, and the ones who support those candidates. (Find out why people get the support of the people whose support they get. This is often more revealing than what the candidate actually says in public.) But the important thing is to VOTE!

And remember, it is your vote to cast, not theirs to take. Vote for whomever you wish. That is what democracy is all about. If you think the Democrats and Republicans only offer you the choice of the lesser of two evils, then you haven't been a good citizen, and you haven't played your role properly. Don't stay home and say it doesn't matter. It does matter. And YOU make the difference.

Happy Independence Day. Peace on Earth.