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233 And [Steadfastly] Counting

R.K. Miles Hardware Store

At 6 a.m. on 3 July, on NPR, I listened to about 10 people take turns reading a paragraph of the complete Declaration of Independence, 233 years old 18 hours thence. (I teared up, which surprised me—and then it didn't. What's not to tear up about the document and what it stood and stands for?) On 20 January I had also teared up, less for what Mr. Obama's taking the oath meant than for the spectacle of a peaceful transference of power ... AGAIN ... in what has become the most powerful and wealthy nation in history.

As Iran and then Honduras have demonstrated in just the last few weeks, representative democracy is a fragile creature—which makes July 4th and what it portended all the more miraculous.

To top it off there comes the fact that the Declaration of Independence was an utterly absurd idea. Britain, though distracted, was the most powerful nation on earth itself, as of the summer of 1776. And through it flowed much of the Colonies' lifeblood. Washington may well have looked the part of a Commander in Chief, resplendent on one of his grand white horses from the Mount Vernon stables, but he was, in fact, inexperienced (an earlier, botched military foray of his had ignited the French & Indian War), and his army was poorly manned and poorly equipped.

Yet the long odds came in, with many a nod to our beloved ally—France. (God bless!) And hence the first large-scale experiment in citizen sovereignty began. The journey included the burning of Washington by the very same Brits, a ghastly war among brothers, and on through the trenches of World War I, Iwo Jima and D-Day, and the 40-year cold war, when the potential nuclear cloud hung perpetually low in the sky.

The journey was never easy. And so it remains today. Iran and North Korea and Afghanistan and Pakistan are volatile beyond measure. Capitalism's nasty side effects have also caught up with us with a vengeance, as they occasionally do.

And yet on we go. We have many democratic mates today, from massive India to the massive European Union to Japan and Southeast Asia and Oceania and almost all of Latin America. We have an economy that continues to produce and fund entrepreneurs at an undiminished rate—Americans by and large see the impossible as a shot all but in the net—from Bentonville, Arkansas, to Houston to Palo Alto to Portland to Bethesda to Las Vegas to San Diego to Cambridge MA.

There is much work to be done, many potholes to fill, but also an incredible amount worth smiling about and taking pride in. It's been another tough year. And, yes, another great and amazing year in the 233-year journey from Independence Hall.

While it is customary to thank in particular our troops abroad at such a holiday, and so I wholeheartedly do, this year I want to single out the American worker—in particular the small business owners, by the millions, who have redoubled their already Herculean efforts to stay afloat and serve their communities and their employees; and the many, many workers who have taken pay cuts in preference to watching their peers laid off; the involuntarily unemployed who each day get out of bed and pursue the possibility of another job; and the entrepreneurs in tomorrow's industries who continue their 24/7 efforts to build an energetic, and exotic future. Due to so many of these folks it's actually been, in its own way, a grand year—so many have dug deep within and discovered and exhibited astonishing resilience. After all, it's the tough times that, in fact, define us—always has been the case, always will be the case.

Here's to year 234!
Welcome!

(And thank you, dear old Philadelphia!)

Above, R.K. Miles, our home and hardware store in Manchester Center VT—competes successfully with a nearby Home Depot. Below, my local country store, Mach's, in nearby Pawlet VT.

Mach's General Store

Tom Peters posted this on 07/03/09.

Comments

Happy Independence Day to you Tom; to ALL the team at Tom Peters.com; and to my many friends in the US from the right hand side of the pond. For the record and in spite of differences we may have had with the previous resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I for one want the US to be on the inside of Britain's tent p*****g out rather than being on the outside p*****g in :-)- Have a great day all!

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 3, 2009 5:51 PM

Indeed we do have much to be thankful for. Let us consider making this 4th of July festive and free of so much nay-saying over the woes that are but the current chapter in this adventure we call life. May year 234 be positive, and filled with ever increasing hope that we will improve upon the good, learn from and diminish the bad, and reach out to all our neighbors (both "foreign and domestic") and make our forefathers proud of what they started.

Happy and safe 4th of July to all.

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 3, 2009 6:16 PM

Perhaps we can also learn from the fate of the British Empire. In 1776, the British were over-extended, under-funded, and had a determined enemy (France). They were led by someone who did not have a good grasp of the world situation (George III).

Posted by Mike L. at July 3, 2009 6:20 PM

It is sort of humbling when you think about how stressed-out we get over starting a company and knowing we might lose our investment if it fails... when you compare it to a bunch of brave souls setting out to start a nation all the while knowing failure might mean they lose their lives.

Perspective is a funny thing, isn't it?

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 3, 2009 6:31 PM

TP - This is a most beautiful post. Thank you so very much for your acknowledgment of workers, entrepreneurs and those who have taken tremendous cut and blows to their dignity and pride, yet they do as you have said; they endure. Inspiring indeed!

Happy 4th of July!

"They were led by someone who did not have a good grasp of the world situation (George III)."

Just imagine if Sarah Palin was the president? She is clearly out of her league. That rambling speech was classic SP. There is no plan here; this woman is utterly lost, save the fact that she seeks celebrity. OK. The beauty contestant simply needs to go back to prancing and winking in the arena she knows best. Maybe there's a reality show down the road. Best in that.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 3, 2009 6:39 PM

Mike L - Apologies about George III - we can choose our friends but alas not our Kings and Queens :-)

Interesting to ponder your observation of how empires collapse in their pursuit of power over and domination of other nations. I'm reminded of Don Henley (in his uniquely brilliant and irreverent way) sings as follows on The Eagles classic latest album title track "Long Road Out of Eden" about the fallacy and stupidity of craving for an 'Empire'-

"Went down the road to Damascus, the road to Mandalay
Met the ghost of Caesar on the Appian Way
He said, "It's hard to stop this binging once you get a taste
But the road to empire is a bloody, stupid waste"

Behold the bitten apple, the power of the tools
But all the knowledge in the world is of no use to fools
And it's a long road out of Eden"

Pretty powerful stuff - I'm looking forward to seeing The Eagles next Tuesday in Birmingham where Don will no doubt belt that one out.

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 3, 2009 7:27 PM

So say we all.

Posted by David Porter at July 3, 2009 9:50 PM

Nice piece Tom.
Happy Independence Day from everyone in New Zealand.
Peace!

Posted by Shaun O'Neill at July 4, 2009 2:01 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/opinion/04herbert.html

Posted by goodColumn at July 4, 2009 11:05 AM

I am reminded of the words of President Bill Clinton from his first Inaugural Address

"Our democracy must not only be the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be fixed by what is right with America."

Real change will begin when we as individuals commit to making a difference in our own homes, our neighborhoods, and communities. Collectively we have the power to initiate change and hold our elected officials accountable. Collaboration and cooperation can get a lot accomplished!

Make a difference in 234!

Posted by Dave Wheeler at July 4, 2009 11:48 AM

Bravo, Tom! I'm taking the liberty of spreading your post to my distribution list. Rod

Posted by Rod at July 4, 2009 1:34 PM

"I'm taking the liberty..."

Liberty.

Interesting choice of word, given the topic, whether intentional or not. A subject that would be wise for us all to consider soberly this 4th of July weekend. Just because the fireworks are over, doesn't mean we should start thinking "So, what's the next holiday?"

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 5, 2009 10:32 AM

Thanks, Rod.

Posted by tom peters at July 5, 2009 11:52 AM

Tom, an excellent post.

I am Canadian. Happily so. buy viagra on line

I have not always had a positive view of the US. I will be candid and say that my opinion changed drastically on 911. Prior to that, the image of the arrogant, boasting American seemed to be the common view. I bought into that the way we often view large corporations as run by 3 fat white guys that look like the Monopoly man. Large corporations are owned in many cases by teachers pension funds and normal every day people. Americans are mostly normal everyday people.

The (as you say) resillience shown after 911 and in the face of global warming, and the current economic crisis has been inspiring. Leadership. This has now been thrown into 2nd gear on it's way to 3rd by the current president. There is belief that you can overcome. And are.

I feel very fortunate to be your neighbour. I am willing to bet this year will be a good year. Perhaps an Excellent one.

Posted by Patrick Bergen at July 5, 2009 7:49 PM

Trevor & the UK are especially downtrodden this past rejoiceful weekend for the USA. 70+ years of tennis humiliation at Wimbledon. Only the Centre Court stands now as Trevor & his hooligan cult looted then burned the rest of the facility. Meanwhile Iran puts on trial anyone connected to Britain while blaming the British for creating the "the revolt at the time of their elections". Britain is blamed world wide by Islam for anything they can dream up - as well citizens of: India, Africa, Russia, China & even Australia/Canada tend to loathe the British despite best efforts to promote the "Kingdom". Labour is almost crushed - so that is our new salvation & rise again to "Empire" status - though for now we shall drop the "Great" from Britain & be known as the United Republic - since "Kingdom" may annoy our many, many creditors. :>)

Posted by UK Love at July 6, 2009 5:16 AM

This, too, shall pass.

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 6, 2009 6:14 AM

Yes indeed Happy 4th or indeed 233rd.

I love the fact I can remember this date, it reminds me of the fact its the day after my wedding aniversary and as such haven't missed one in the last 10 years such is the general news hubub around it.

Surprise trips to Paris also help with remembering also.

Have a great day of reflection.

Patrick

Posted by patrick at July 6, 2009 7:45 AM

UK Love – as always many thanks for your glowing testimony of my homeland.

I am very impressed with Mr Roddick – what a great player and a real gentleman. He deserves to win Wimbledon one day. I am also impressed with the Williams sisters too – they are streets ahead of all other female players on the planet. Mind you I maintain my view they are, in fact, TOO good to make it ‘interesting.’

Great also to see Tiger win a tournament over the weekend. A great weekend indeed for the US sporting prowess. I will even be going to see The Eagles tomorrow night just to show my absolute and completely required subservience to the great US.

All I can say in my defence is thank God we have Manchester United to fly the flag for England my friend :- )

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 6, 2009 12:05 PM

The new conservative Trevor for PM some day soon :>).

Posted by UK Love at July 6, 2009 2:18 PM

And you UK Love will be my Chancellor of the Exchequer of course :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 6, 2009 5:16 PM