Are  we really independent, as a nation and as individuals? Or have we become increasingly more dependant on the government? The government, of course encourages our dependance, because being dependant increases the government's influence and power. How often do the American people become outraged anymore? How often do we demand the truth? Not very often I'm afraid. We are more concerned with our smart phones, our i-pads, and posting on Facebook. Since 9/11 we have traded liberties for security and we seldom have anything returned once we have traded it.

"Those who trade liberty for security deserve neither."  - Ben Franklin

We have a government run amouk, that listens to neither the people or reason. Our "representatives" care not a whit about us, but seem to answer only to their party and to special interests, especially special interests. There are too few that vote and fewer still who are educated in their vote.

Congress recently  passed and President Obama signed bill H.R. 347 (also known as the Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011) into law on March 9th, amid numerous protests from the Occupy movement, as well as other agencies. HR 347 is a modification from Senate bill S. 1794, which restricted people from entering or blocking public areas that have been closed off by Secret Service while a person under their protection is passing through. The law also included major public events, such as the Inaguration and Presidential campaigns. Does this Act superced the First Amendment guaranteeing the right to "assemble peacefully"? It does if the Secret Service decides you cannot assemble peacefully wherever they say you can't. How does this make us independent? If the secret service had been in Boston in 1773 there would have been no tea party!

Our true indepence comes from being educated, from exercising our rights, and from holding our government responsible to us and to no one else, not to special interests, not to political parties and not to other governments. To us! There is no other way to be indepent or to be good and true Americans.