Celebrating American Independence in Nevis
What Are You Willing to Fight For?
Our home in Nevis symbolizes freedom for me. Nevis was the first place we were able to escape to when we were able to travel outside the country following the COVID pandemic. The world had just started to awaken from the fear-filled nightmare that had us locked up in our homes hoarding toilet paper, antiseptic wipes, and hand sanitizer. America was not exempt from the effects of this pandemic as it had been from many previous scares from the last couple of decades. We were hoping the vaccine would provide an escape from the emotional, spiritual, and economic malaise that had infected the world, but even after many were vaccinated, world travel was still at a standstill. When the world started to open up for travel once again in 2021, we jumped at the chance to head down to the Caribbean and our favorite stop from the twenty years of exploring was St. Kitts and Nevis.
As a family, we have visited many places within the United States on Independence Day. I remember a few years back when we visited the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, learned about “Uncle Ben” and later took the kids to the Statue of Liberty and New York’s Freedom Tower on the 4th of July. More can be read about this trip by clicking Freedom and Faith Revisited.
This year is our first year out of the country on the fourth. Our plan is to celebrate with other Americans at the Yachtsman’s Grill tomorrow, enjoying shared American pride and fireworks.
We have gotten to share our home away from home with family and friends over the last year. Those who would like to enjoy St. Kitts and Nevis as we have are welcome to watch the video below and contact my wife Jennifer about our friends and family discount.
Freedom & Faith in God and country are two of the things I hold most dear in this world. Our forefathers fought and died to ensure that we have this freedom. They fought to escape from a tyrannical government that imposed taxation without representation and state-controlled religion. When our country was founded, we sought to escape corrupt government practices, unequal justice under the King of England, and religious persecution. We fight the same fight today, many times for others in countries whose governmental systems have become corrupted.
Our founding fathers were wise in establishing the three branches of government. If one or two of the branches try to overstep their bounds or become corrupted by foreign powers, conflicts of interest, or members voting themselves power and benefits beyond those of regular citizens, other branches can step in to limit the power of the “elite” to benefit the country. If state governments mismanage taxpayer dollars, citizens can vote with their feet and choose to live in another state.
I’m proud to be an American. Those who dream of a better life have chosen to come here over time and have thrived. Many are jealous of jobs that may be going to immigrants, but it is the immigrant spirit who embraces American opportunity and works hard to achieve their dreams that we might all want to emulate. These immigrants thrive and embrace the dream while others fall victim to a narrative that keeps them down. We may want to consider seeking out more immigrants who want to help make the U.S.A. a better country. We may want to make immigration and citizenship easier for those who can bring talent, skills, strong work ethic, and increased productivity to this country. We can continue to get better by attracting the best and the brightest by making it easier to immigrate legally instead of illegally. More on standing united and how we are Proud to be an American can be found by following this link.
Germany is a great example of a country that destroyed itself in the early 20th century. When we visited Germany in 2019, we visited many memorials as well as the Dachau concentration camp. I believe we should all do our best to remember the sins of the past so that we do not repeat these atrocities of history.
Those who escaped Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, or Cuba after the fall to communism know about the kinds of atrocities that are committed under tyrannical rule. Freedoms are given up for the good of the state. Propaganda prevails with news from the outside world filtered by the party in power. Individuals are treated unequally under the law based on political party affiliation or socio-economic status. Elections are rigged with options severely limited for those allowed to run for office. Entire races of people are demonized and brutalized, starting with a few and ending with all who do not escape the clutches of the tyrannical government apparatus.
Tyrants will try to keep power by any means necessary. Those opposing tyrannical rule either end up in jail or are assassinated. Those who are wise watch for these cycles repeating and new tyrannical governments subverting the rights of her people to preserve order and help find a way out that does not involve war. More on this can be read by following the link to Finding Freedom.
In contrast to these tyrannical governments, America has always been known as a “Shining City on a Hill”. We have been a “Light to the World” for many seeking a better way of life and less corruption. We have never been perfect, but our country’s leaders have been less corruptible than most. Throughout our country’s history, we have embraced principles centered on God and His Truth as an example for others to follow. Castoffs from other lands and those wishing to escape tyranny have come to America to find a better life. Those who believed in the Dream were better able to achieve it for themselves in the U.S.A. To read more, feel free to follow the link to What is the American Dream?
For as long as I live, I will fight for America to continue to be a “Light to the World” and a “Shining City on a Hill”. I will fight for the U.S.A. to be an example for all nations to strive for and achieve equal opportunity for all. I will fight tyranny in all forms. I will fight for those who were oppressed in other countries and have found their way to our shores to have the opportunity to realize their dreams. I will fight for the Truth. I will fight for all freedoms established under the Bill of Rights. I will fight for our children to be able to remember and learn from history and remember that we are “One nation under God, indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All”.
Irving Berlin is an example of an immigrant who contributed greatly to the American psyche. He and his parents escaped abject poverty in Russia and came to the U.S. when he was five years old. The Berlins were one of hundreds of thousands of Jewish families who emigrated to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s, escaping discrimination, poverty, and government brutality. He wrote and put to music the following:
Franklin Wealth Management, LLC
4700 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343(423) 870 – 2140www.Franklin-Wealth.com
Forbes Recognized Joe Franklin as one of the Top Advisors in Tennessee
