Today we celebrate America's independence from England—hard-fought and won at a bloody price. But was that the end of the struggle? Or does the fight for independence continue? And exactly what is the "Independence" which we seek and celebrate?
America's journey toward Democracy—an expanding and comprehensive Democracy—is far from complete. And, perhaps, it never will be finished. Today we are witnessing that American Democracy may be more fragile than we previously had realized. While some eras in American history favored Democracy, today we are at risk of losing it.
So, today, I will not celebrate Independence Day as a commemoration of our one time freedom from England. (That seems so Eighteenth Century. I am not worried about a take-over from a foreign power—especially a small, island nation 3,500 miles away). Instead, today I will celebrate America's independence from Authoritarianism. Our rejection of a King. Our freedom from Dictatorship. Our liberty to prevail as individual (and differing) American beings—who sometimes bump into and annoy one another—who are devoted to a written Constitution, one which ensures that the game is played strictly according to the Rule-of-Law. And I pray that the leadership of our country (not just one top office but all those who populate the influential offices of elected leadership) will enforce Democracy and Democratic Norms (as messy as that process can be).
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.