Fourth of July Reflection

Hard to believe the 4^th of July is in two days! Beyond celebrating Declaration of Independence, the Fourth of July offers an excellent opportunity to reflect on how blessed we are to enjoy the title “American”. I for one am a believer in American exceptionalism, the thought that the United States and the state of being American is truly unique compared to other nations in the world. I think it’s important to note, the emphasis added on unique; I didn’t use the words perfect or better.

There have been a lot of ups and downs in our nation’s history. Many may argue that our current American state is a “down” period; perhaps. Seems like we often forget the hard times this nation faced over the decades. What I find very interesting is that arguably one of our most serious down periods occurred almost before the nation even got good and started!

Despite earning independence in the decade, the 1780s marked a period of tremendous political and economic instability for America.  Domestically, inflation ran rampant as the States continued to print paper money.  State legislatures became self-interested with a “spirit of locality” and were passing numerous questionable laws.  Many state legislators were not prepared to become lawmakers and were limited to only one term creating a lack of continuity in governance.

Economically American exports were steadily declining while imports began to increase.  Many European nations chose not to do business with a loose confederation of states seemingly incapable of properly regulating commerce.  Border disputes with Spain and Great Britain continued with no consolidated American response. 

In the Summer of 1787 fifty-five state delegates of political elite assembled in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.  By the Fall of 1787 it was apparent that James Madison and others assembled in Philadelphia were not simply revising the Articles, but developing a completely new Constitution that would establish a considerably stronger federal government. In 1789 the Constitution went into effect and the rest is history.

Does any of that brief synopsis of the 1780’s sound familiar? I am certainly not suggesting that it’s time to assemble another Continental Congress to revisit the Constitution, but simply that our nation has been here before…and survived.

To me that typifies American exceptionalism. Despite the challenges, somehow, someway, in the end, Americans figure it out. I am proud to be an American and celebrate our nation on the Fourth. I remain confident that the annual celebration will continue for generations to come.   

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