Independence Day

Greeting Golfers,

Two hundred and forty nine years ago  - July 4, 1775 - the unanimous Declaration of the 13 united States of America:

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume upon the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these Rights, governments are instituted by the consent of the governed.

Of course, there’s more to the Declaration of Independence … but right there is where they threw down the gauntlet.

An amazing achievement. The first country based on individual liberty.

But can we keep it? Benjamin Franklin said “If you can keep it.”

Why is freedom so hard to keep? Because there are  power freaks out there. Control freaks. Very often disguised as “caring” … or doing the right thing for the people (people as a group - not as individuals).

You see it everywhere. I don’t mean just in government … I’m also talking businesses and other organizations.

One of the beauties of being free, is the opportunity to create things to build things. And hopefully the goal is to build good things that last.

However, power freaks come in and only care about control … not about building something (especially for the long-term). Whether it’s a business or a government … it’s the same game - how can I run this for me.

Here’s an example. There’s a lot of talk amongst PGA of America members about what is happening to our organization. Originally, the staff of the PGA was hired to help the members of the PGA. However, as time has gone on, it appears that the staff of the PGA is running the PGA for the desires of the staff … not for what is in the best interests of the members.

You see this also happen with business Boards … the Board starts seeing the business as their toy to use and abuse.

The same attitude that the British government had towards its people.

Was the British government interested in building a better Britain for its people? No. In their mind … the British people existed for their use.

A society based on laws was intended to protect the rights of its citizens. Over time, the law has been weaponized for use by power freaks. These people can’t deal with neighbors or other people in a normal decent way … they sic lawyers on people to abuse and get their way.

Our Founding Fathers had the guts and fortitude to stand-up to these freaks. For the United States of America to continue to be free … we need to be free from these freaks … they need to be stood-up to.

Ironically, when I went to high school we were the Warriors … they changed the name to the Royals.

How crazy is that? Our Founding Fathers were warriors … fighting for their freedom from the royals.

These self-appointed Royals need to be stood-up to. We need to be Warriors.

Today in celebration of what the Declaration of Independence is about … remember that it’s about being a Warrior for Liberty.

Cheers!