Happy Independence Day! It's not "interdependence day" as it winds up being in some countries. It is celebrating our independence: our life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; for which our founders jeopardized their lives, fortunes and sacred honor. Many gave the supreme sacrifice.

We have come quite a distance. The founders gave us a representative republic. Since early in the 19th century politicians have tried to change that to be a democracy. Then 100 years ago Woodrow Wilson, a progressive who despised the Constitution, tried to make "the world safe for democracy". The rest is history.

We need to be vigilant. The Constitution is being shredded. Our national sovereignty is being betrayed to unaccountable international panels. Our everyday decisions are being dictated by faceless bureaucrats who have no accountability at the ballot box. Our freedoms of worship and speech are being abridged.

We need to make ourselves heard. We need to exercise our freedom of assembly. We need to hold our representatives accountable. We need to vote. Celebrate Independence Day 2012 with a feeling of gratitude but don't become complacent.