America turns 250 years old officially today. I am old enough to have vague memories of the 200th birthday celebration in 1976. Without getting specific, it is clear to those paying attention that the country is struggling in many ways. And yet the promise remains.

The quotes below come from three books I’ve read, two of which I strongly recommend. The first is called The Bill of Obligations by Richard Haass. It is required reading for true patriots. The last two quotes come from Kermit Roosevelt III’s wonderful book The Nation That Never Was (and yes, Mr. Roosevelt is the great grandson of Theodore Roosevelt). The thesis of this book is that the better version of America was created during Reconstruction, after the Civil War, not in 1776. It is a book worth reading and certainly an argument worth thinking about.

Happy 4th! May the United States of America become more united, may lying become shameful again, and may justice be established.