July 4th Reminds Us: We Must Work to Defend Democracy
On this July 4th, we celebrate our independence from England and the promise contained in our Declaration of Independence, that we are all entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Unfortunately, on this particular 4th, we are reminded that the freedoms promised in the Declaration are under assault both at home and aboard.
Ukrainians are in their second year of fighting for their freedom against the army of an invading, dictatorial foreign power.
Americans face the challenge of a Supreme Court that, instead of protecting the rights of persecuted minorities against the tyranny of the majority, now seems intent on overturning 50 years of legal precedents to enhance the rights of the majority to discriminate against selected minorities.
In every generation, it seems, we and our ancestors have defended freedom against the existential threats from abroad while enhancing and expanding the ability of our fellow Americans to truly pursue happiness regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.
We turned back fascist movements at home during the Great Depression, and then beat fascism abroad during World War Two. We protected fledgling democracies from the threat of Communism during the Cold War while we expanded the rights and liberties of our fellow citizens during the Civil Rights Movement at home. Communism collapsed, the threat of a major land war in Europe seemed to disappear, and at long last Americans earned the right to marry whoever they loved.
The last 18 months have witnessed attempts at home and abroad to reverse these hard-won protections.
Meanwhile, during the same period of time, in Ukraine, the war has ground on. And, as experts in military affairs predict a years-long struggle against Russia, the Ukrainian people have remained resilient and persist in the belief that despite the hardships, they will endure and rise to victory.
We too must not lose faith as we endure what may be a years-long defense of freedom against the lies, efforts to dehumanize LGBTQ+ members of our community, efforts to reverse decades of progress for women and minorities, a Supreme Court which is (only temporarily) out of step with reality and a Republican Party held hostage by a perverted notion of American democracy.
We too must stand our ground by working this year, next year and every coming election cycle for candidates who will defend freedom and democracy.
In Loudoun County, on this July 4th, we can work to elect candidates at the Federal level who will support our continued commitment to provide the Ukrainians the means to defend themselves.
In Loudoun County, on this July 4th, we can work to elect candidates in the State Senate and House of Delegates who will defend the state law currently on the books that guarantees our fellow Virginians the right to marry regardless of their sexual orientation.
In Loudoun County, on this July 4th, we can work to elect candidates in County offices that will investigate and prosecute hate crimes, protect our public education system, and ensure that all residents of the County feel welcome in our community.
Please, commit yourself on this July 4th to not only celebrate freedom but to defend democracy right here in America by joining us in our battle for our children’s future.
