Happy July 4th

This house on 236th Street, near Katonah Avenue, decorates for each holiday in a big way, Fourth of July being no exception. I love it.

And decorations and fireworks are great (I mean, Macy's fireworks, come on -- it doesn't get much better than that, they are totally entitled to brag) but I really hope that this Fourth, we each spare a few minutes in the day to give a thought to what the American Experiment really is.

Take time to really read our Declaration of Independence. Become familiar with the terms of our Constitution. Review the Oath of Office of your elected officials. Believe it or not, they are not difficult documents to make your way through. The Declaration of Independence has only 1350 words. That's less than the average article in the New York Times Magazine Section and it's far more concise and clear in its purpose and writing. The US Constitution is your document... and its importance cannot be overestimated. It is the first time a system of government was carefully, fully and thoughtfully formed. Yes, there was dissension and disagreement. Yes, there was arguing and name-calling and fisticuffs. But there was no beheading of a monarch, no military coup, no religious upheaval.

Think about the Art of Being a Citizen on this celebration of our Independence... Independence not just from Great Britain and the Monarchy, but Independence from religious tyranny of every kind, independence from being tied to a certain town or county or city, independence from government control of our speech, our writings, our desires to do as we please, think as we please, move where we please. Independence to criticize -- lovingly, thoughtfully and respectfully -- those we elected to represent us.

The United States of America is not, in its original form, intent and essence, a piece of property, a building, or your tax refunds. It is an idea, a system of thought, a system of humanitarian beliefs, that is -- or should be -- constantly evolving around a core of simple, solid and important ideas.

Have a Happy and Thoughtful Fourth! I leave you with the words of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, framers of our Declaration of Independence, and architects of a new way of life:

"The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then."

"It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority."

"Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone."

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