Monday, July 4, 2011

Independence Day 2011

It has been a long time since our last post on MDI Blog, and for that we sincerely apologize. During the intervening months, local issues have continued to be eclipsed by national and international economic and political events.

Here on Mount Desert Island, we like to think that because we are surrounded by the ocean and dramatic natural beauty, we are thus somehow insulated from the problems that are so apparent throughout our country and the rest of the world. Unfortunately, we are not! What happens in China, or in Afghanistan, or in Washington, or on Wall Street, or at the Federal Reserve, or along the Mexican border, or in other towns and cities throughout the United States; all eventually could have a serious adverse effect upon the quality of our life as well as the lives of our children and grandchildren, despite the fact that we live in this supposed haven along the Maine coast!

In our opinion, we as individuals and, collectively, as a nation currently face some of the most significant and difficult problems we have ever encountered since the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Now is not the time for ideological posturing, or for burying our heads in the sand, or for selfishly trying to enrich ourselves at the expense of our neighbors and our fellow inhabitants on this island in space. We need strong leaders who can inspire us to bring out the best in each other. We need the willingness and courage to look beyond short term personal gain and, instead, focus on the long term common good. We need to solve our problems together, not on the backs of those who are least able to defend themselves. We need to stand up for the fundamental human principles set forth so eloquently in our country's founding document.

On this Independence Day, let's resolve to do more than just wave the flag or wear the red, white and blue. Let's spend some time thinking about what our freedom really means and what considerable responsibilities that freedom entails.