Quintessentially American

Freedom, in all forms, is quintessentially American.  It is the foundation upon which this great, even unparalleled, country has been built.  When the first settlers arrived centuries ago (no, they did not "discover" a continent already home to indigenous populations of what we now call Native Americans), they came seeking freedom from government oppression.

Then, as the documents declaring and forming our country were written, freedom was the core value.  The Bill of Rights could just as easily be called the Bill of Freedoms, so imperative is the very sense of freedom.

Yes, much has changed over the years.  Industrialization.  Technology.  Medicine.  Transportation.  Flight.  Communication.  Just some of the facets of American life to have changed.  In each area, freedom can be seen.  Freedom from illness.  Freedom from manual labor.  Freedom from bigotry and racism.  Freedom to speak and write.  Freedom to openly communicate across great distances.  Even freedom from the very bonds of gravity.  Freedom from, and freedom to.  Essential elements of the American way of life.

Freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Yet, from this vantage point, it seems the lessons of our rich history of freedom have been lost on all too many.  Particularly those inclined to seek elected office and, recently, inclined to pose as journalists and activists.

Rather than embrace the concept of unique American freedom, they seek to restrict it.  Every aspect of our lives is impacted by some level of government working at  limiting our freedoms.  And the main stream media and activists bay loud and long wanting to limit someone else's freedoms.  How we got to this point is unclear, but it is certain we are there.

Fortunately, common sense and American values are beginning to turn the tide.

For example, one of the basic freedoms involves being a child.  Yet some have convinced themselves and others that parents can't safely raise their children without government mandates.  Without excessively restrictive government oversight.  

When a child is not be allowed to walk to the store without his/her parents being accused of child abuse, then our nation is in serious trouble.  The overly controlled child of today will be an ineffective adult tomorrow. 

Fortunately, Utah has seen the error of this approach and recently corrected its laws in what is termed "free range parenting."  

Applaud this move, because it both embraces American freedom and works at ensuring children grow up to become productive adult members of society, not so-called snowflakes that can't care for themselves.

Unbridled generosity, unabashed patriotism

Motorcyclists (aka bikers) are some of nation's most generous folks.  Every weekend, across the country, bikers come together to ride for a cause.  

Some rides support recognizable causes, like "the cure."  Other rides are local poker runs to support individual needs.

For a few dollars, the biker usually has the opportunity to win or get a little something -- maybe a t-shirt -- while enjoying a ride in the company of like minded motorcyclists.  The proceeds from the run go to the designated cause or purpose.  But it much, much more than simply dropping some dollars into the collection bucket.  

Sharing the American born and raised love for independence embodied in the biker culture, they come out on their rides to be part of an experience.  Maybe a few dozen riders.  Maybe a few hundred.  Maybe a few thousand.  Maybe along country roads.  Maybe on freeways and highways.  All part of the experience of a charity run of one type or another.  Occasionally the run provides an opportunity to show the larger community their generosity, like a toy run prior to Christmas.

In addition to their incredible generosity, bikers are extremely patriotic.  Indeed, many are veterans.  Each May, one large group of bikers leaves Los Angeles, heading to the nation's capital, in a massive demonstration that patriotism never goes out of style.

The destination for Run to the Wall is Rolling Thunder.

From across the nation, tens of thousands of bikes roll through the streets of Washington DC to pay homage to those lost in Vietnam and those missing in action.  And to our servicemen and -women.  Flags flying in testament to the very freedoms embodied by riding a motorcycle.

Whatever some may think, the overwhelming majority of bikers are known for their unbridled generosity and unabashed patriotism.