Tom Riggins: Independence Day is important

The approaching anniversary of our independence always gives me cause for reflection. Sadly, I believe the level of patriotism and belief in our country today to be as low as I can remember in my lifetime of over 60 years. So much so that I am now deeply concerned about the future of our nation. Even during the 1960s patriotism was not at today’s low level.

Author and historian Ariel Durant said, “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.” Today’s leftist socialists are doing a good job of that. A crisis in this country has been slowly evolving for years, and we the majority have complacently allowed it to happen. The socialist left has been covertly indoctrinating our children to hate America. They are now openly brazen about it.

Thus the concerted push to foist a “woke” cancel culture ideology on us, woke being whatever some elite somewhere thinks it should be that day and subject to change tomorrow. Further, Critical Race Theory is being forced upon public schools nationwide. As far as I am concerned this is the most dangerous exploit against our freedom that I have ever seen. It seeks to divide, not unite, our citizenry.

Biden’s newly created federal holiday, Juneteenth, I view as an attempt to undermine and do away with Independence Day. It is in line with the underlying philosophy of Critical Race Theory. What better way to undermine independence than to do away with its celebration?

A hermit reentering society today would think the country has lost its mind. Cities are burning and looting and violent riots are common. Oddly, ala Orwell’s “1984” the violent riots are being depicted by leftists and media as peaceful. Up is down, left is right. Even more oddly, or maybe predictably, the riots and looting are found in cities and states run by left-leaning Democrats.

Our basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights are being taken away by a central government owned and operated by the left. The rights of freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom to arm yourself, and the right to not be intruded upon by a central government are being eroded at every turn. The media, social media, education, and leftist politicians all play their part in these acts. Any speech that does not follow the woke narrative is now hate speech. The fact that hate speech is not prohibited by the Constitution is irrelevant. Just shut up and go along. The silent majority is now the silenced majority.

We have recently seen how a lone bureaucrat can with the stroke of a pen deprive us of choice. Our governor’s recent COVID mandates are one example, mirrored by many others nationwide. Gov. Sisolak managed to totally ruin our state’s economy, trample civil liberties, and generally become a one-man government. Let that be a reminder of how fragile our freedoms have become.

Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” There is a silenced majority who agree. That is why the Middle America, flyover country, blue collar sector of the country that elites hold in such disdain spoke in 2016 and elected Trump as president. And that is why they are so angry about the 2020 election and subsequent events. That is why there is a resurgence, stronger than before, of Tea Party-like grass roots organizations across the country.

Great leaders seem to come along when least expected, and sadly not often enough. Abraham Lincoln was another. He led the country through one of the most trying conditions of our existence. Paul Harvey was a radio show host whose non-political common sense was priceless. Rush Limbaugh was the most revered and hated conservative ever in the media. My mother-in-law believed Ronald Reagan was a gift from God to this country. One may be able to say the same about Donald Trump.

So this Independence Day please think about how we became the great nation we are. Do not forget those who are in the military, who best understand independence. Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I say, “Not on my watch.” It is time for the real Americans to stand up for themselves and our future.