It’s easy to look at the challenges America is facing and ask whether Washington is doing enough.
But as America approaches its 250th anniversary, there’s another question worth asking:
Are we doing our job as citizens?
Are we doing our part to live up to the revolutionary idea of self-government that our founders wrote into the Declaration of Independence in 1776?
The concept of self-government changed the course of history. But it also came with a challenge and a responsibility.
If government derives its power from the people, then it’s up to us to keep our republic.
Self-government requires participants, not spectators
Americans learn that the Declaration of Independence announced America’s break from Britain.
But the Declaration was way more than a legal document — it created a new way of thinking about what makes a nation strong.
The founders understood that for nations to stand the test of time, they need good laws, strong institutions, and engaged citizens willing to help sustain them.
In a world where people were used to being subjects of a king, receiving and obeying royal commands, our founders decided to create a country of citizens, one in which all of us are engaged in the affairs of our own governance.
That goes far beyond just casting a ballot on Election Day.
Self-government asks us to stay informed, engage with our neighbors, participate in civic life, and take an interest in the future of our country.
Liberty asks us to be participants in our republic, not spectators.
That’s a difficult challenge — one that many republics throughout history have failed. Yet, for generations, Americans have lived up to it.
We did it by voting, collecting petitions, keeping our government accountable to the people, and ensuring that the timeless ideas set forth in the Declaration of Independence remain alive.
But there is no guarantee that liberty will endure.
The next chapter depends on us
Every generation must choose whether it will preserve American freedom or allow it to fade.
That challenge belongs to us now.
Now that America is celebrating its 250th anniversary, we’re the ones in charge of keeping alive the ideas our founders committed to parchment.
Click here or on the picture below to watch AFP’s latest 30-second ad focusing on civic duty and the reasons people are taking their “One Small Step.”
The fate of our nation has never and will never be determined by Washington alone, but by citizens who choose to learn, engage, and contribute to the communities they call home.
The good news is that self-government doesn’t require grand gestures. It only needs ordinary people like you to take small steps.
It could be as simple as learning about an issue, engaging in your community, meeting with a lawmaker, volunteering your time, or simply having a thoughtful conversation with your neighbor.
That’s the spirit behind the One Small Step campaign.
We’re celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary in the best way possible — by practicing the very principles of civic responsibility, active citizenship, and self-governance that shaped our nation.
We saw that spirit firsthand in Columbus, Ohio, on June 22, when people from across the Buckeye State came together to celebrate our nation’s founding and recommit themselves to preserving freedom for future generations.
You can watch a livestream of the event by clicking here or on the picture below.
But attending one of our events isn’t the only way to be part of the movement keeping America’s principles alive.
One good place to start is by reading the document that started it all.
The Declaration of Independence is a reminder that our republic depends on citizens who are willing to understand, defend, and practice the principles of freedom.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, join the Declaration Project and read the Declaration for yourself.
It’s one small step toward understanding the responsibilities — and opportunities — that come with self-government.
