Put your political views in your pocket

Without a doubt, the political climate in our nation has been rocky at best over the past 10 years. Left, right, Republican, Democrat, it matters not which side of the aisle you’re on there is unrest in our country over which side is right.

I have seen burning effigies of presidents. I have seen giant balloons depicting a presidential baby. Rumors and innuendo about both parties have run rampant during this last decade.

In polite society we were taught not to discuss two things: religion and politics. It's no wonder we have no idea how to have civil conversations about these topics now.

This holiday weekend, let us try to remember why we’re actually celebrating; why we’re out there setting off fireworks.

Our forefathers came to this country to make a better life for themselves and their families.

They were immigrants to a new land, undocumented and unknown, feared by the native people.

Over the next 200 years they fought for their independence, fought for the causes of others and even fought amongst themselves, leaving thousands upon thousands of young men and women dead on the battlefields of both American and foreign soil.

This weekend, let’s remember we’re all Americans, no matter where our political views lie on the line. We are a single nation, a single people, all under a single flag. A flag well fought for.

Put your political views in your pocket for another day and simply enjoy the freedom we have as Americans.