Sometimes it’s easy to forget how good we have it. Certainly our government isn’t perfect, and neither are the people who run it. It’s easy to get caught up in the back and forth between political parties, arguments about birth certificates, health care and spending. But, if you ever needed a reminder of how sweet the freedom our great nation provides is, look no further than your Twitter timeline.
You may think I’m crazy to compare our freedom as Americans to social media. Charlie Sheen tweeting about being a “warlock” and Kim Kardashian tweeting about her butt seem ridiculous compared to civil rights and freedom of religion. But, while I don’t think our forefathers had Twitter or Facebook in mind when they wrote the First Amendment, I am sure they intended to create a nation where the government didn’t control the media.
They couldn’t have imagined that we’d tweet every mundane or salacious detail of our lives or secretly check Facebook status updates when the boss isn’t looking. They did, however, intend for us to be free to speak our minds—including your thoughts on birth certificates and health care and the candidates that you think are just plain crazy. And, that, friends, is a freedom we enjoy that so many others cannot.
This Fourth of July, I am thankful that I live in a country where Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson can break the news of Osama bin Laden’s death on Twitter, where someone can Tweet wise messages from Yoda and Batman, and where my mother can overshare our family photos with her Facebook friends.
So, tweet a picture of the cheesy HotPocket you are about to enjoy. Go on Facebook and tell everyone why your favorite team is better than your rival and unfriend anyone who disagrees. Blog about your child’s issues with potty training (or maybe not). Just don’t forget to thank the servicemen and women, past and present, who have served, protected and sacrificed for our country and our freedom.
What are you thankful for this Fourth of July?