As we get set to celebrate another  Independence Day here in the Unites States, I believe it warrants  mentioning the obvious courage that had to be exhibited by our Founding  Fathers 234 years ago.  Many of these men had much to lose and only  marginal benefits to gain by signing the Declaration of Independence.   They were already part of the established order and for the most part  were beneficiaries of the existing system.  In fact, although we often  hear about the select few who rose to historical prominence, most of the  others suffered great personal hardship and difficulties as a result of  their decision.   Just think of the individual sacrifices they had to make both  professionally, financially and logistically, as well as the inevitable  impact this must have had on their respective families.   How many  people do you know today, who would boldly sign a document that would  put them in such grave jeopardy and make them instant perpetrators of  treason against the most powerful nation in the world?   I will always  admire John Hancock for being the first person to offer his  signature (and in such a dramatic fashion) – what courage…

 Much is made today of our political divisions and concerns that our  system of government may be broken and in need of a significant  overhaul.  I’ll leave the practicalities of this discussion and debate  to our congressional scholars. However, I do know this; 234 years ago a  group of men with varied interests and philosophies, from different  backgrounds, of different means and capabilities, and with much to lose,  put the welfare of their fledgling country above their own.  At great  risk, they literally put a historical “stake in the ground” and  committed to a series of fundamental principles and beliefs that laid  the groundwork for our great country and completely reshaped the modern  political agenda.  The following words literally changed the world:

 “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are  created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain  unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit  of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted  among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —  That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,  it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to  institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and  organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to  effect their Safety and Happiness.…”

To accomplish this, they agreed to “mutually pledge to  each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” Imagine  if the political, social and business leaders of today felt this same  way.

As you go about celebrating this weekend, I encourage you to take a  moment and pay tribute to the courage these men showed many, many, years  ago and appreciate how we are all still benefiting from their  willingness to put the greater good above their own personal agendas.

Happy July 4!