Photo of child reaching for a US flag for post about Independence Day 2023 - Toward a more perfect union

Happy Independence Day 2023 – Toward A More Perfect Union

The phrase “toward a more perfect union” comes from the Preamble of the United States Constitution, a document that embodies the ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice that we celebrate every 4th of July. This phrase captures the aspirational nature of the American project, an ongoing endeavor to create a nation that continually improves and refines itself, a work always in progress. It acknowledges that perfection may not be achievable, but the aspiration itself is worthy.

The 4th of July, or Independence Day, marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which declared the 13 American colonies as a new nation separate from the British Empire. This declaration was a bold commitment to a set of revolutionary ideas about governance, power, and human rights. It embodies the spirit of self-determination, individual liberty, and collective effort to achieve shared goals.

Toward A More Perfect Union

 

Celebrate! And strive toward a more perfect union!

The celebration of the 4th of July is a commemoration of these founding ideals, and a moment for reflection on how far the nation has come in its pursuit of a “more perfect union.” It’s a time for citizens to consider the progress that’s been made, the challenges that persist, and the work yet to be done.

In many ways, the ongoing struggles for social justice, equality, and inclusion are the modern embodiment of that quest. They reflect the nation’s continued effort to live up to its own high standards and to ensure the freedoms declared at its inception are accessible to all of its people.

Each 4th of July is therefore not just a celebration, but also a renewal of commitment to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, a reminder of the journey toward a more perfect union. It underscores the role every citizen plays in this journey and is an invitation to engage in the continual work of improving the nation. The fireworks, parades, and cookouts are all part of this celebration of unity, progress, and shared commitment to the democratic ideals that our nation was founded upon.

Regards,
Keith Klein & the team at OnYourMark, LLC
Organizer, Wisconsin Business Owners

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.  Please contact us with questions.  Best to callemail or visit our site for the best response.  We do invite you to engage with us on social media (just not for immediate needs). As always, if you like, you will find us on the following social media sites, among many others:

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Note: Original blog post from our friends and vendors at WisX.com: inspired by Paul Haut of W. Haut Specialty Co., and Mark Mullarky of Great Lakes Tech Services, LLC.  Written by Keith Klein & the team at OnYourMark, LLC with an AI assist.

“Cars on Main” 

18th Annual Car Show
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, July 30th, 2023
See these sites for more info on this FREE event:
https://wisowners.com/cars-on-main-2023-come-join-us/

Thanks to Wisconsin Business OwnersMembersSponsors, and our Hosts for free snacks, beverages, and music at this event:

Host: Jennifer Bartelt, Owner of Main Street Framing
Jennifer is a life-long resident of Lannon, and a business owner as well…and her Dad started this event!  Jennifer goes out of her way to help other people and businesses and has been a long-time sponsor of Wisconsin Business Owners.

Greg VaughnVaughn Enterprises, Inc.
Heather SchwartzHeather Schwartz Photography
Dave WalterTite-Spot Welders, Inc.
Gail YaegerDove Celebration, LLC
Nate KleinPatriot Landscape Co. LLC
Jamie ShibleyThe Expressory
Tamara BurkettTamara Burkett Global
Mike RaberGlobal View Capital Management, LTD.
Bill SargentMilwaukee Headshots
Moe KhaledLuxury Auto Sales & Service
Abe KhaledLuxury Auto Sales & Service
Maggie MonganBrilliant Breakthroughs, Inc.
Mark MullarkyGreat Lakes Tech Services, LLC
and yours truly, Keith Klein, Proprietor of MainStreetOil.comOrganizer of Wisconsin Business Owners, and Founder and CEO of OnYourMark, LLC

The Grand Experiment Liberty Bell https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=liberty+bell&title=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image&haslicense=attribution-same-license

Long Live The Grand Experiment: Happy Independence Day 2022!

Long Live “The Grand Experiment!”  Happy Independence Day!

Allow us to share original thoughts of some great Americans to celebrate the 4th of July, the anniversary of the American Experiment; The Grand Experiment.

“No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact, that man may be governed by reason and truth. Our first object should therefore be, to leave open to him all the avenues to truth. The most effectual hitherto found, is the freedom of the press. It is therefore, the first shut up by those who fear the investigation of their actions.”

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) US President (1801-09)
Letter to John Tyler Washington (28 Jun 1804)

The U.S. Bill of Rights

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the ConstitutionFor the Grand Experiment, an image of The Bill of Rights from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bill_of_Rights_Memorial-2.jpg
in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the “Bill of Rights.”  [This text and the text below are from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript

Amendment I

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.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

 

The Gettysburg Address

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 19, 1863

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address

The following is from a lesson plan for 3rd to 6th Graders at https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/teachers/curricular-resources/elementary-school-curricular-resources/ask-not-what-your-country-can-do-for-you:

Goals/Rationale

John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. In this lesson, students learn about a theme in President Kennedy’s inaugural address, civic action, and consider how it applies to their own lives.

Essential Question: How does a leader inspire a nation or a group of people?

 

The Grand Experiment – The American Experiment

I am grateful and proud to live in a country that established the Grand Experiment – the American Experiment, the fist and longest-lived democracy in the world, imbued with ideals, like The Rule of Law under Constitutional, Representative Government.  We need to keep vigil, to work endlessly and tirelessly on the Grand Experiment…relentless work toward a more perfect Union.

This post was first posted on my personal site, at KeithKlein.me

Regards,

Keith Klein
Organizer, Wisconsin Business Owners
Founder & CEO, OnYourMark, LLC

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.  Please contact us with questions.  Best to callemail or visit our site for the best response.  We do invite you to engage with us on social media (just not for immediate needs).  As always, if you like, you will find us on the following social media sites, among many others:
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