SAD TIDINGS
2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: 410
As you know, last week’s column discussed our country’s upcoming celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. Much of the response to that column was festive but, without giving reasons, two recipients requested to be removed from our 2 Paragraphs Family. I think this is sad. Of course we have had and still have problems in our country, as outlined by the motto “America is a perfect idea; the United States of America is a work in progress.” Yes, we were founded with slavery being allowed in some states and, yes, we still have discrimination of various kinds going on. But the Founders wanted our country to be run by “We the People,” and wrote our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights with that in mind. And, by and large, it is working. So that, in my mind, should be celebrated by us all.
We have all heard the old saying that we should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. In other words, we should be appreciative of what our country offers and has given us all, and not let the fact that it could always be more perfect detract from that appreciation. In fact, I see that understanding as one of the true ingredients of a happy life. I hope I am misreading the responses of those two former Family members, but I anticipate that their lives are not happy. But I pray that you don’t let that happen to you.
Observation for the week: Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. (Another example of how hard it is to learn the English language.)
Judge Jim Gray (Ret.) Superior Court of Orange County, California 2012 Libertarian Candidate for Vice President