Independent from what?
The Fourth of July today represents independence for many, but it's really more about a fight for ownership. At the origin of Independence Day is a group of wealthy colonists, from 13 different places, the colonies--which are now referred to as states but probably more exactly should have been thought of as countries then--who got together to tell the government that founded those places they were no longer going to be controlled by them. These men, who were among an elite minority group of people, wielded power over hordes of others who had no power, nor independence. And by them declaring independence for their colonies they were simply taking control of the dependent people who resided in their domain. There was a shift of ownership, but it was hardly a declaration of independence for all of us, as we are somehow led to believe today.
Fortunately it didn't stop there, and a constitution was forged by thoughtful intellectuals who would ultimately give even common people a ...