Photo by Vince Alongi

The Fourth of July celebrates our declaration of independence from the former British Empire 232 years ago. It’s a good day to read the actual text and doing so, reflect on its relevance today.

While it’s true we’re independent of the government then ruled by George III, how much independence do we have today when we are spied on by the government of George II? Read the document and the charges in it. As you do, think about how many of them apply to the current King George.

“But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.”

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776