“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…
This 4th of July, we reflect on the strength of America– its people. My story is like millions of others. I was born on a small farm in Italy. My brother and I were supervised by a sheep dog as we played alone while the adults tended the fields dreaming of a better life in America. My parents underwent an arduous vetting process to get here. My father was required to prove that a job was waiting for him and we had to pass background and health checks. They sold what little they had to sail to America with a 5- and 7-year-old in tow.
My parents, though at the bottom of the economic ladder, were deeply grateful for any opportunity to work so they could help their children. With only a 5th grade education, my father’s great respect for education was reflected in his daily missive to us: “Education is everything. It is the way out of poverty and the path to freedom.” We took this to heart, and through hard work and scholarships, my parents lived to see the first in our family to graduate from elementary school, high school, college and graduate school.
Their love of this country had a profound influence on us to “pay it forward.” Connecticut became our home, the place to realize the American Dream, and later, to serve the state and country. It is still a great state and can be even better with an engaged and involved citizenry that values the principles the United States was founded on: education, industriousness, self-reliance and equality for all.
In the last few years, our society has become polarized more than we would have imagined. Civility and tolerance are in short supply. Too many have developed an “us-against-them” mentality and believe that our government institutions no longer work for them.
Not true. In fact, the United States works exceptionally well. It is the best example of a diverse, inclusive and democratic country on earth. Its body of laws and free markets are the envy of the world. These have become models that most countries strive for. But, we should not take our system of government for granted.
One only has to look back at the turbulent conflicts in our republic’s history that threatened to tear it apart: The Revolutionary War, Shays and Whiskey Rebellions, the Second Revolution of 1800, Alien and Seditions Acts, Gabriel’s’ Rebellion, War of 1812, Battle of the Alamo, Harpers Ferry Raid, Civil War, Lincoln Assassination, Boxer Rebellion, WWI, the Great Depression, WWII, Korean War, the Cold War, Vietnam, JFK and MLK Assassinations, September 11, Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, the Great Recession –to name just a few. And yet, through it all our nation has survived and thrived.
In the mist of political discord, the 4th of July reminds us of all that is good in America. It remains a beacon of hope, a promise of prosperity, and the best opportunity to realize one’s dreams while living under its constitution, its laws and military might.
This country gave me and my family every opportunity to succeed through education and a system of government that is open to all races and backgrounds unlike anywhere in the world. It is why so many like my parents risked it all to make America their home. And, after we are long gone there will be new generations to pick up the mantel and carry this great nation forward. It will endure and be a symbol of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness throughout the world. Happy Birthday America and thank you!
Toni Boucher is A CT businesswoman and former state senator, state representative, state board of education member, selectman and board of education chair
Thank you, Toni, for a reminder of how great America is! I don’t see anyone ever leaving to go to another country; even after all their complaining. That is the proof of the truth in your words
The US “will endure and be a symbol of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Not likely if we let more illiterate, illegal immigrants. As Trump says, there is no more room in the country! He is the President and Commander-in-Chief, and as such, we must follow his orders.
The immigration laws need to be changed to prevent anyone with only a 5th grade education from coming in. Or at the very least, if they are allowed to come, they shouldn’t be allowed to bring their whole family…in order to encourage them to return at their earliest convenience.
What a beautiful and heart-warming story. Thank you, Toni Boucher!
My parents, too, came to this country from Europe, with a small child (my older sister) in tow, just a few years after the end of WWII. My mother didn’t even speak English. I can’t imagine how hard it was for her. When my brothers and I were born, English was not our first language. I am proud to be bilingual. My mom taught herself to speak English. My parents, like Ms. Boucher’s, worked hard to take care of us all. I am proud to be American, and I am proud that my parents and sister so loved this country that they all became naturalized American citizens.
Happy Birthday, America!
And the remaining 364 days CT Republican legislators put party over country and actively support or stand in silent conformity, compliance, complicity, and collusion with the DJT/GOP intentional contempt for and destruction of our democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law in blatant and direct violation of their Oath to support the Constitution.
“Equality, equity, shared power, justice, and dignity and well-being of
ALL.”
Please explain to me how the CT Democrats are better at holding firm to this ideal.
BTW – The “American Dream” is
NOT about prosperity and the worship of wealth and power for the few that we see.
The American Dream is the enactment of the tenets of the Constitution:
Equality, equity, shared power, justice, and dignity and well-being of
ALL.