We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.1
The people are what matter to government, and a government should aim to give all the people under its jurisdiction the best possible life.2
In the final analysis, a democratic government represents the sum total of the courage and the integrity of its individuals. It cannot be better than they are.3
It falls to each of us to be those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we’ve been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all our outward differences, we, in fact, all share the same proud title, the most important office in a democracy: Citizen.4
They may not think like you do, they may not pray like you do, they may not love like you do, but they’re your neighbors. You look out for them, and they look out for you. Everybody belongs, and everybody has a responsibility to contribute.5
It is for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—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.6
1 The Constitution of the United States, 1789
2 Frances Perkins, Two Views of American Labor, 1965
3 Eleanor Roosevelt, Tomorrow is Now, 1966
4 Barack Obama, Farewell Address, 2017
5 Tim Walz, VP nomination acceptance speech, 2024
6 Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 1863
For the 4th of July, 2026 – the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, in which our founding fathers vowed to “mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” I couldn’t say it better myself.
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Those are fabulous quotes. Thank you for pulling them together. America is a great country. We will survive this just like we have survived in the past. It may not be pretty but we’ll get through it.
Thank you for sharing. I’m particulary fond of “They may not think like you do, they may not pray like you do, they may not love like you do, but they’re your neighbors. You look out for them, and they look out for you. Everybody belongs, and everybody has a responsibility to contribute.” –Tim Walz