On this Fourth of July we are called to reflect on our country, our history, and our potential, while remembering the sacrifices of those before us who blessed us with the gift of freedom and passed to us the responsibility to preserve America’s greatness for future generations.

Our challenge is great. The very foundation of American society is under attack. When a society rewards dependency rather than achievement it destroys the motivation to overcome adversity. When a society promotes entitlement rather than individual responsibility the result is the elimination of the need to succeed.

“...the greatest danger to democracy is the relentless growth of a dependent class that elects and reelects those who promise to make them even more dependent on government.”

~ R.L. Schreadley
Former Executive Editor, The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC

"The real destroyer of the liberties of people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations, and benefits.”

~ Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus
Greek Historian and Roman Citizen, AD 45-120

What is your vision for the world?

Is it freedom and opportunity for more and more people or is it something else? Once we have identified a vision we must adopt those principles, traits, and qualities that will allow us to achieve the objective. If we choose freedom and opportunity we must create a path to self-reliance and encourage individual responsibility. We must develop skills, require accountability, promote achievement, reward success. All of this requires vision, integrity, and leadership.

At the same time we must discourage self destructive behavior. We must avoid locking people into lives of poverty by removing the incentive to succeed.

In appreciation of your friendship,

Bradford L. Sims