Celebrating Independence

America just celebrated another Fourth of July.  Fireworks, cookouts, and parties are the norm, but I wonder just how many people remember, or even care, how this country was formed.  Freedom is not free and independence is not a gift to be shunned or taken lightly.  The United States was formed through tough fighting - nothing romantic about it.  Since then, the several states have bickered and picked at each other.  Virginia, New York and Rhode Island stated they could and would leave the Union whenever their citizens deemed it necessary.  Secession was talked about in earnest as early as 1803.  The Civil War proved the futility of it, no matter the nobleness of the idea.  720,000 dead.  For crying out loud, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (2nd and 3rd Presidents) hated each other personally and professionally.  Ironically, they died on the Fourth of July in 1826.  Neighbors have been at each others throats for centuries, but the country was founded on Godly principles.  Consequently, we're still standing, but barely.  In order for America to go on being a world leader, we need to once again live the motto "In God we trust".