July 4th, Yes - "Independence" Day, Not Quite Yet

July 4th, Independence Day is being celebrated today in cities and towns across America. It is a summertime holiday, three-day weekend, filled with neighborhood parties, hometown parades, and firework displays.

A national day of celebrating the birth of our new country, prepared to stand on its own and make its place in history amongst the world's nations.

But where is that independent spirit and how does our nation stand today?

Our country is at the mercy of oil producing nations for energy.

Our country is under debt to nations that fundamentally differ from our own, especially regarding personal freedoms and individual rights.

Our citizens are burdened with over-taxation and government agencies that seem to regulate businesses and individuals acording to the wants of special interests and lobbyists.

Most of our rivers and lakes are so polluted that there is a limit on eating fresh fish. Our oceans are over-fished and are still used as a garbage dump for plastics and waste.

Family and local farms are being priced out by agricultural corporations and our food is now almost factory direct and modified.

Sounds bleak?

I don't think it has to be. I believe change is coming for America (again). I believe there is a new movement and mindset within our country.

Americans must demand action from their government Representatives on local, state, and federal levels to build alternative energy power plants in the regions that will produce the most energy for the practical technology.

Large solar farms and solar chimney technologies need to be developed in the West and Southwest.

Hydro-electric power plants need to be expanded and modernized for full energy producing potential.

Wind power farms need to be established in the states that have a high wind basin and on our coasts.

Geo-thermal energy along with passive and active solar technology should be part of any new residential, commercial, or municipal construction.

Technology that burns garbage and waste in urban centers needs to be safe for the local population and environment.

New power grids and ways of transmission need to be designed so that power generated from remote "energy farms" can be delivered to urban centers and other locations.

We as citizens need to demand action from our government officials for smart and bold decisions on our energy policies or vote for new Representatives.

As an individual citizen of this nation I can make choices that will affect and support movements that will bring a true independence to our nation's future and future citizens.

I assure all of you, the taxes, stripping of natural resources, and over burdening regulations that caused our symbolic forefathers to overthrow British authority in America will be nothing like what is in store for us for us when our oil producing and debt buying masters come to collect.

Brett