Sean Dengler.

July 4th is one of the best holidays on this planet. It is the best because it is the celebration of this country’s independence. For all the warts and issues this country has, I am a strong believer in the United States. While we are all using our right of self-determination to struggle to find the next version of this country, it is a struggle worth having.

To many of our distant ancestors, this was never the case. It was about living under a ruler and being told what to do. There was no hope for change, but we can fight for change in this country. Anyone can go to their public office and say their piece. Change will happen one way or another. Look no further than the Tama County Board of Supervisors. Some people wanted change, and they got change by engaging and running for office. This can go both ways, and that is the beauty of this country.

Every citizen needs to be engaged in this process and help fight for issues, big or small. Change can start from the bottom, and it is important that the United States keeps this idea in all parts of society. Top-down is not always the right way to go, but it is important for everyone to fight for what they believe is right. Keeping everyone independent from a king, big business, or other all-encompassing power is important.

Society is built on independence. Everyone wants to believe they are independent, and this country can be that. Whether it is shooting fireworks off, complaining about the fireworks, or ignoring the fireworks altogether, everyone has a right to speak to their version of independence. This is mightily important.

For being a successful democratic republic in a short span of the Earth’s lifespan, it is a great achievement. No country is perfect, but this is a country worth fighting to improve. It is important to realize, like most parts in life, there are some good and some bad parts, but nothing is one way or the other. This is what the United States is. It is impossible to be perfect, but it is worth it to keep improving.

The citizens of this country have only been here for a short span of the country’s life, and with each generation, it is molded into something different. It is our job to defend what is right and to fight for what is just. Each generation might view what is best slightly differently from the other, but it is important to retain the independence of the country and of its citizens.

Who knows where this country will be in 100 years? It is important to hand the next generation the keys to this country in the best way possible. Has that ever worked? Who knows, but it is important to try to fight for what is right and what keeps us independent. This is what our founding fathers did for the sake of the United States, and this is what we need to do for those who come after us.

Sean Dengler is a writer, comedian, now-retired beginning farmer, and host of the Pandaring Talk podcast who grew up on a farm between Traer and Dysart. You can reach him at sean.h.dengler@gmail.com.