Welcome to America land of the free and the brave; where freedom reigns and the hope of a brighter tomorrow is the dream of millions of immigrants each year.

One definition of Independence: freedom from control or influence of another or others. This is a founding principle of our country, our forefathers designed this country’s laws to make freedom from control and influence of others a top priority. This was especially true of religion. The original settlers of this great land came here to escape religious persecution. So in designing the laws of our nation they ensured that this would not be the case for future generations. Our founding fathers also maintained there should be freedom of the press. The First amendment states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

These words are from our “Bill of Rights”, one of the many things that make up the foundation of laws in our country. The first paragraph in The United States Constitution states that we want to “… secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves …”.

The year is 2006, the elected officials in our once bright nation seek to suppress the press, oppress citizens, and keep out the dreamers.

So if you are a heterosexual Caucasian Christian, Happy Independence Day… To the rest of us, we’d better watch our back, phone records and bank accounts… They are.