As we celebrate Independence Day, I would encourage us all to reflect on the true beginnings of this great nation as a new land where the pilgrims landed to freely worship almighty God free from persecution. Founded on Godly principles, this fledgling nation flourished into 13 prosperous colonies which eventually declared their God-given right to be free and independent states according to the Declaration of Independence. 

This document forever changed world history by rightly setting the proper standard for the status, purpose and role of government in relation to God and the people. It rightly sets Almighty God (the creator) and his word above the people, and rightly sets the People (subject to God’s will) above the Government.

Without this foundational structure of ultimate accountability to the Creator God, “We the People” would have no claim to freedom and liberty, but would be fully subject to the ever changing, self-serving will of those in positions of power in government. We have seen this throughout history and still see it today in the Authoritarian, Socialist, Communist, and Marxist governments around the world who view themselves ultimately as gods, and act accordingly, subjecting the people to government control over every aspect of human life. 

My prayer is that we would all take time to thank our Lord God for the freedom and liberty we enjoy, and never forget that it is a precious gift that can easily be lost if we do not diligently protect and defend it. Our founding fathers fully understood that we are “one nation under God” as they wrote our state constitution, reminding us of this fact in the words of its preamble:

“We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution.”

They immediately go on to declare the status of the people and role of government in Article I, Section 1:

“All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; to secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

They go on to explain how to maintain our freedoms in Article I, Section 22:

“The blessings of a free government can only be maintained by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.”

These ideas were famously echoed by the great Republican President Ronald Reagan when he said:

“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.”

Let’s continue to work diligently as members and supporters of the Republican Party to uphold our nation’s fundamental principles, celebrating Independence Day with a renewed sense of purpose. May God bless you and the people of St. Croix County.

“In God we Trust”

Matthew Rust

Chairman

Republican Party of St. Croix County