I'll admit to being a little bitter and cynical about the current state of this nation. So many of the values on which this nation was founded have been eroded or flatly discarded by our elected officials that it can be difficult to harbor hope for the future. Even if change comes, a hard road is ahead if we want to recover our values, and be a force for good in the world.

For that change to come, though, we need to be active. There are groups — non-partisan groups — who are trying to safeguard our freedoms against those in our own government who want to remove them in the name of "security." If you still believe in the core American values, if the rule of law matters to you, if you want all Americans to enjoy the guarantees of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness they were promised, consider joining one of those organizations in whatever capacity you can. Money is tight for a lot of folks, so if you can't afford the $20 to join the ACLU, for example, consider helping out with your time. You might be surprised how many ways there are for you to help.

Have a safe and fun Independence Day, and try not to lose any fingers.