After George Washington won the war of independence for the newly created United States, he did what leaders never did before. He voluntarily resigned, and became a private citizen again.
When King George III of England heard about this act, he was shocked, and famously said:
“If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”
At that time when monarchs and military commanders would win a war they would seize power, not give it up. But this was a new experiment in governance. Never attempted and as dangerous as they can get.
The United States of America is an audacious experiment in SELF-governance. It requires that each and every one of us take responsibility and be involved. It requires that we think of the greater good, work as a team, and it requires that we never take this experiment for granted.
Throughout the past 250 years, many countries around the world saw this shiny city on the hill, and decided to try self-governance for themselves. Not because it was perfect, but because it was the only system and still is the only system, that not only allows for change, it requires the change.
The people governing themselves, not a monarch, not a dictator, not a Caesar - is the best system of governance we know. It’s not perfect. It’s flawed, like our founders. But it is open for growth, change, transformation. A more perfect union is one of the most extraordinary concepts, a little hint that the founders gave us to never ever rest on our laurels and keep striving to be better.
By the people, for the people. Let’s keep making it more perfect.
Happy birthday USA 🇺🇸