The fourth of July is a time to celebrate America and being American. It is a great experiment, with an imperfect start, and a bumpy road for nearly 250 years. A nation whose stated purpose was to provide for individual freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

Of course, none of that is simple or easy and with all of our struggles, we sometimes forget that we are doing better. We are getting better. And the only way we can continue to be more just and more free is to work together. Join hands, do the work, and make compromises for our neighbors and a better future.

We must not let our politicians divide us for their own benefit. Anger and hatred are tools used by the powerful to stay in power. Let us not forget that our government is supposed to work for us. We do not work for them. We are all Americans, and we can all work together to be better, to improve our society, improve our own lives, be responsible for ourselves, and help our neighbors, our fellow Americans, to improve their lives and enjoy more of what has become known across the globe as The American Dream. Here on the 246th anniversary of the birth of our nation, let’s all take a moment with our family and friends to acknowledge just how good we have it here, even with all of the work we have yet to do, this is still the greatest country in the world and we are all lucky enough to live here.

Here’s to freedom. Here’s to liberty. Here’s to the United States of America.