Happy Fourth of July!  This is known as Independence Day.  It could also be called Secession Day.  The American colonists were seceding from the British Crown, and the British Crown wasn’t willing to let them go peacefully.  There are actually many similarities to the so-called Civil War waged by Lincoln, yet most Americans see the two wars completely differently.

There are many Americans who know almost nothing about American history.  You can see this with some of the “man on the street” interviews.  (Is that politically incorrect to say now?)

There are some Americans who don’t even know the entity that the Americans were declaring independence from.  I am not talking about whether it was Britain or England or the United Kingdom.  I am saying that some Americans would guess something like France.

However, sometimes I find more hope in the ignorant/ apathetic crowd than I do in those who actually know something significant.  I would rather talk to the person who knows little about the American Revolution and the so-called Civil War than talk to someone who knows quite a bit about each war yet thinks both Washington and Lincoln are heroes to be celebrated.  (I personally think George Washington had his good points and bad points, whereas Lincoln was almost all bad.)

There is no question that Americans, in general, are very ethnocentric.  They think the world revolves around the United States.  In some ways, they are correct.  The U.S. is by far the richest country in the world, and it is also the most powerful militarily.  But even though the U.S. government could blow up the planet a hundred times over, it can’t beat a bunch of people living in caves in Afghanistan, unless the military were to just literally blow up the entire country and kill everyone.

I do not agree with American exceptionalism as it is presented today.  The problem is that it is an attitude that America is the best, and therefore everyone else should conform.  This is how we get all of these immoral wars.  It is how we get politicians from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush saying we are going to bring democracy to the rest of the world.  It is highly immoral because it is using force in an attempt to achieve these goals.  It is taking advantage of a certain arrogance within the population who want to cheer on the American military.

With all of my criticism, there is a certain aspect of American exceptionalism that I do embrace.  While the U.S. government has been abusive to foreign countries all over the place, the American people, aside from the arrogance part described above, still have a certain individualist and free-spirit streak that just doesn’t exist to the same extent in other countries.

Sure, the U.S. has become more of a welfare state.  Sure, the U.S. government has troops stationed all over the planet.  Sure, the government has a major presence in many aspect of our lives.  But despite all that, there is still this pro liberty streak that is still somewhat unique to these United States.

Most Americans think it is ok to make money and be successful.  If you start a business and become wealthy, it is typically celebrated.  This is not the case in many other countries.

Religious liberty is highly respected, even from those who don’t wish to practice a formal religion.  This was one of the unique aspects of America in the 1700s.

Most Americans still embrace free speech.  Perhaps we have regressed a little in this aspect with political correctness, but still consider that Donald Trump was able to win the presidency.  The hardcore people who preach political correctness and try to shut down speech are very vocal, but they are also in a small minority.  Most Americans still believe in free speech, even if they don’t agree with what is being said.

Americans can homeschool their children without a lot of restrictions.  And to be sure, more and more Americans are practicing this right that they have by abandoning the government school system.

Americans can own personal firearms.  Some cities and states are more restrictive than others, but for the most part, despite attempts at more gun control, most Americans can own a gun.  And this is widely practiced in the United States far more than any other country.

These are just a few of the many things to celebrate, despite the other side of the coin of a police state, a spy state, a welfare state, and a warfare state.

There are likely more libertarians in the U.S. today than at any time in the last 100 years.  There may be more hardcore libertarians now than ever before.

If you are at a 4th of July party or family get-together and someone mentions celebrating our freedom, you don’t have to be that bitter libertarian who points out how we live in a police state with our freedoms shrinking by the day.  Instead, affirm some aspect of freedom that you are able to celebrate.  You can say, “I sure am glad that I can at least be an entrepreneur and homeschool my children if I so choose.”

They say that ignorance is bliss.  Many people will celebrate the 4th of July in this state.  They will celebrate their freedom by barbecuing and setting off fireworks.  But really, they really are practicing a version of their freedom and enjoying life to a certain extent.

I think you can avoid ignorance without also being miserable all the time too.  You can be aware of the many injustices and the many ways in which big government makes our lives significantly worse.  But at the same time, you can celebrate and practice the liberty that you do have.  It is ok to have some fun and celebrate the good things in life.