In the Pursuit of Happiness

Are all the truths still self-evident? Maybe.

This July 4th, I'm reflecting not just on our independence from a king, but on the independence so many of us crave today—from dysfunction, division, and performative politics.

Independence Day wasn’t meant to celebrate freedom from civility, society, or reality. It was meant to mark our collective belief that people deserve a government that works—one that upholds dignity, solves real problems, and protects our shared future.

Yet in a nation increasingly divided by ideology, too many voters in the middle feel ignored. Culture warriors and partisan media reward outrage over outcomes. But I believe something powerful is happening beneath the noise.

The center is growing—not just in numbers, but in confidence. More people are rejecting political labels and instead demanding results. I’m more certain than ever that tomorrow’s best public servants will emerge from this rising majority: principled leaders who listen more than they shout, and who build bridges instead of burning them.

Still, elections have consequences when not enough people vote. In just the last 10 days, we’ve seen that clearly. In Washington, the President’s agenda sailed through the Congress with a sweeping piece of legislation. In New York, a self-described Democratic Socialist won a key primary. What do they have in common? Both tapped into deep frustration with the status quo. Many of their voters are fed up with a system that feels rigged or stagnant. The question to be decided is whether they were actually voting against their own self interest. Time will tell. In addition, many of those disaffected voters voted for both the MAGA and Democratic Socialist movement.

That frustration is real. But real change doesn’t come from slogans. It comes from leaders who do the hard, unglamorous work of governing. And the involves compromise and listening to the other side of an issue. All too often, the extremes want to burn it all down rather than do the hard work in the middle of the bell curve of where people live their lives.

As we celebrate this uniquely American holiday, let’s remember the original aspiration behind it all:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

We haven’t always lived up to those words. But we’ve always had the chance to keep trying—and that’s what democracy demands.

For me, “the pursuit of happiness” means access to good jobs, quality education, and a future that feels worth working for. What does it mean to you?

Here’s one way we get there— Look beyond party lines. Find candidates who listen. Support those who serve. And most importantly—vote.

This Independence Day, let’s not just celebrate our history. Let’s recommit to shaping a future where the government earns our trust and reflects our values.

Wishing you and your family a joyful, reflective, and hopeful Fourth of July.

Take care,
Joseph