Here's what I posted on our Facebook Group page:
One of the great things about the Declaration of Independence is
aspiring for "Liberty and justice for all".
What a difficult goal to aspire to.
Our country got off to a slow start --- slavery continued, only white
male property owners could vote. But slowly and steadily we've
incrementally made progress. First eliminating the property requirement.
Then abolishing slavery in the continental US in 1865 and in Alaska in
1870. Women's suffrage in 1920. The Civil Rights Act in 1964. And the
Voting Rights Act in 1975. Slow, but steady progress.
Part of the "American Dream" is that anyone, regardless of the
circumstances of their birth, if they are willing to work hard and have
ability, can "better themselves". How to preserve that opportunity in
the face of huge increases in tuition for 2 year and 4 year colleges is
a challenge. How to address the huge disproportion of the prison
population with black or brown skins is a challenge.
I think part of the great thing about being Americans is that we will
always have challenges on how to improve who has Liberty, who has
Justice --- and how much. We've come a long way, but there's always room
for improvement.
I hope you all have a great 4th.
Hi Bill -
Thanks for the history reminder - it's good to remember that our nation is a
"work in progress", just like we all are! Hope you had a Happy 4th!
Betsy
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Thompson <billthompson76(a)gmail.com>
To: campbell-pa-nelson <campbell-pa-nelson(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Wed, Jul 4, 2012 1:41 pm
Subject: [Ca-Pa-Ne] July 4th Thoughts
Here's what I posted on our Facebook Group page:
One of the great things about the Declaration of Independence is
aspiring for "Liberty and justice for all".
What a difficult goal to aspire to.
Our country got off to a slow start --- slavery continued, only white
male property owners could vote. But slowly and steadily we've
incrementally made progress. First eliminating the property requirement.
Then abolishing slavery in the continental US in 1865 and in Alaska in
1870. Women's suffrage in 1920. The Civil Rights Act in 1964. And the
Voting Rights Act in 1975. Slow, but steady progress.
Part of the "American Dream" is that anyone, regardless of the
circumstances of their birth, if they are willing to work hard and have
ability, can "better themselves". How to preserve that opportunity in
the face of huge increases in tuition for 2 year and 4 year colleges is
a challenge. How to address the huge disproportion of the prison
population with black or brown skins is a challenge.
I think part of the great thing about being Americans is that we will
always have challenges on how to improve who has Liberty, who has
Justice --- and how much. We've come a long way, but there's always room
for improvement.
I hope you all have a great 4th.
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