Independence by By State Rep. J. Eggleston

On July 4th, we will once again celebrate our freedom as Americans on Independence Day. While it would be easy to allow news reports of viruses and protests and political animosity to make us feel negative about our country, the Fourth of July should be a reminder of how lucky we are to live in this time and this place – Missouri America in the 21st century.
I would much rather live in America than in Europe where they have their own issues of political strife. Or in Venezuela or Russia where socialism has destroyed their economy and their hope for a good future. Or in China or North Korea where the communist government insures that freedom of any sort is virtually non-existent.
And I am proud to live in Missouri, who celebrates her 200th birthday next year. Living here easily beats the congestion of New York, the mis-management of California, or the anarchy in Washington. With our wide variety of urban and rural communities, and beautiful geography, there is truly something in our state for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.
And despite our current issues, which shall someday pass as all issues do, I would much rather live now than in the 1940s when we were embroiled in a world war that threatened our nation’s existence. Or in the colonial days when the state-of-the-art in food, medicine and hygiene produced an average life expectancy of only about 30 years and few people lived long enough to ever meet their grandchildren. Or in the time of the pilgrims when there were no stores, roads, or societal structure, and people hoped not to starve to death, freeze to death, or be eaten by a bear.
As we celebrate this Independence Day, let us not lament the imperfections of our time, but instead be thankful for the hard-fought progress and victories of our ancestors – the soldiers, the farmers, the entrepreneurs – that allow us the freedom to live in the greatest country on Earth, and in a pinnacle state in that country. Happy Birthday America.