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My country, ’tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I
sing: Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountain side, Let freedom ring.

What is liberty?

Webster’s Dictionary defines Liberty as “the quality or state of being free,” which means:

“Freedom from physical restraint;”  “Freedom from arbitrary or despotic control;”  “The positive enjoyment of various social, political or economic rights and privileges;” and  “The power of choice.”

What is tyranny?

Tyranny is defined as “oppressive power” and “especially, oppressive power exerted by government;”

“The office, authority and administration of a tyrant;”  “A rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force;” or  “An oppressive, harsh or unjust act.”

The courageous men and women, who founded the United States of America and declared independence from tyranny on July 4, 1776, were escaping from the oppression of iron-fisted monarchies. They risked their lives to establish a nation that celebrates liberty, where citizens would be free from persecution for their religious beliefs and would not be under the thumb of an elitist aristocracy.

In the first sentence of the U.S. Constitution, the founders of our nation pledged “to establish justice” and “to secure the Blessings of Liberty” for all citizens. If democracy is government by the people through elected representatives and majority rule, liberty is defined in the Declaration of Independence5] and the U.S. Constitution as a natural right belonging to everyone that should never be taken away by the majority.