Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM SUMMER 2019 | Page 20

TAXING MATTERS CHERYL E. JOHNSON, PCC Galveston Co. Tax Assessor Collector [email protected] America is Not Just a Place I n June 1776, Richard Henry Lee, an American statesman from Virginia, called for the Second Continental Congress to declare the Thirteen Colonies independence from Great Britain. The Committee of Five (John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston) drafted and presented a resolution of independence which, after several days of editing and debate, was approved July 2nd, formally adopted July 4th and released July 5th. What led to this historic event was a 13 year period of hostilities brought about by unfair taxation without proper representation. Colonists felt watched over as if children – their grievances ignored. Regardless of where you obtain your news (TV or the internet), it seems that at every level of government, history is repeating itself. To help us avoid the pitfalls of the past, I encourage you to consider a Summer Reading Program of American History - pick up a book from the library or download electronic versions - July 4th seems to be a good day to begin. I have been reading the history leading up to and then letters of the Founding Fathers. My patriotism has grown as I read the words of the men who risked their lives and fortunes for America’s independence. Great read of liberty and freedom can be found 18 MOMENTUM many places. I have long found the speeches and writings of President Ronald Reagan to be inspirational. For example, in several speeches he stated, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” In 1976, he said, “I’m convinced that today the majority of Americans want what those first Americans wanted: A better life for themselves and their children; a minimum of government authority. Very simply, they want to be left alone in peace and safety to take care of the family by earning an honest dollar and putting away some savings.” In 1981, “Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on earth. The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay the price.” Although off by two days, Founding Father and second President of the United States John Adams wrote to his wife that the second of July, “…will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” Surely July 4th we shall celebrate in the various ways suggested by President Adams. Let us also celebrate one another, for I firmly believe that America is not just a place - it is a people. Celebrate with respect for our differences, with civility in our discourse and with joy in our hearts. “The dreams of people may differ, but everybody wants their dreams to come true. And America, above all places, gives us the freedom to do that,” (Ronald Reagan). And for that, we should also be grateful.