Happy Independence Day!
An immigrant's reflections on one of man's greatest achievements—the founding of America
I'm deviating only slightly from the subject of Achievement, TX, today to wish my fellow Americans a Happy Independence Day. It is also only proper for a publication celebrating achievement to celebrate America, and Texans love America just as much as they love Texas. (Almost 😉)
As I wrote here before, achievement is a very American concept. It would not have been possible without the founding of the United States of America, at least not as we understand achievement today.
To be able to achieve, one needs freedom of thought and expression, freedom of association, property rights, and agency—the freedom to pursue one’s happiness, one’s life—values that the Founders were looking to reach:
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Declaration of Independence, first and foremost, and then the U.S. Constitution, inspired me and convinced me that I wanted to immigrate to the United States because these documents not only recognized individual rights, they aimed to create a government whose limited role was to secure these rights, not to direct how I should live my life, nor to redistribute the products of people’s efforts as it saw fit. This meant my life was my responsibility. All I needed was to pursue it.
In large part, the people who built this country came here to flee oppression and to pursue opportunity and freedom. America set the foundations for people to pursue their happiness, their dreams, and to achieve what they had set their mind on achieving.
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America
Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America
—Neil Diamond, “America”
Many of the people who come today to pursue their happiness here come because the conditions for achievement are here—the right foundations, better policies, fewer barriers, an American mentality that is generally encouraging and admiring, rather than envious, of achievement—much more than in their own country (if these conditions exist at all there).
Now we don't always get it all right
But there's no place else I'd rather build my life
'Cause it's a kid with a chance
It's a rock 'n' roll band
It's a farmer cuttin' hay
It's a big flag flyin' in the summer wind
And over a fallen hero's grave
It's a high school prom
It's a Springsteen song
It's a welcome home parade
It's a man on the moon
And fireflies in June
And kids sellin' lemonade
It's cities and farms
It's open arms
One nation under God
It's America
—Rodney Atkins, “It’s America”
True, America has, in some respects, moved away from its founding principles. But the good foundations are still here. And every day, Americans and immigrants start new ventures and new lives here because they can here.
Today is a day to remember why this is possible and an occasion to be thankful. And as we remember our blessings, we can strive to rediscover and advance the principles that form the foundation of this great country we call home.
I consider two things in my life to be achievements of which I am particularly proud. The first is to have made it here and become an American citizen. The second is to be able to work toward preserving the great achievement that is the United States of America. (And Texas ⭐ 😉)
My friends have heard that story over and over, but I’ll keep repeating it as long as is necessary.
I love America, I respect and admire the principles on which this country was created, and I am thankful for the opportunities this country has afforded me. And I hope that I will never take these blessings for granted.
Happy Independence Day, friends! Stay safe, enjoy time spent with family and friends, and some good food and entertainment, and remember why we can enjoy these moments.
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I’d worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife
I’d thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
Where the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away
—Lee Greenwood, “God Bless the U.S.A.”