Rebekah Conroy

I hope everyone had a great July 4th and took some time to reflect on our independence. My running mate, Wendy Wright, and I had a meaningful afternoon at the Morristown National Historic Park at Washington’s Headquarters. We celebrated with a reading of the Declaration of Independence accompanied by a musket-firing salute by soldiers from the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helms Company - all in full 18th century regalia. In remembering how those who witnessed our nation’s birth celebrated, the reading was filled with shouts of “Down With King George!” or “No More Tyranny!” at every mention of the “Crown” and enthusiastic cheers of “Hip, Hip…Huzzah!” in support of independence and mention of the United States of America. (I have to admit, even I got into it and let loose with some cries of freedom from tyranny and oppression).

Those who participated in the founding of this country were of all backgrounds, varied ethnicities, and exhibited all ranges of political philosophies. In drafting the Federalist Papers, our founding fathers debated and explained the need for the power and structure set forth in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The only thing that mattered among those that blazed the trail for our new country’s independence was the shared goal of freedom and a society grounded in liberty.

Some two-hundred and thirty years later, things aren’t all that different. The freedom to exercise independent judgment is still vital to resolving issues that affect our daily lives. As candidates for elected office, we will continue to debate political ideas, just as our founding fathers intended. These days some candidates preach about smaller government, all the while believing that what limited government does exist, exists solely to impose “fundamental” choices upon the entire population - choices like the definition of marriage and the type of medical care you need. I believe freedom includes the necessary right to make these fundamental choices free of government intrusion and I trust you to know what is best for you and your loved ones.  Be wary of those who want to make our government just small enough to fit into your medicine cabinet or under your bedroom door. It is the obligation of the government to protect our rights and freedom, not to limit our fundamental choices.

Hip, Hip…Huzza!