July 4th. Today is my birthday. I am officially 244 years old. No need to tempt me in blowing out all those candles. I don’t want to prove anyone wrong. Looking around, I can see this year has not gone well for many of my sons and daughters. On this day, let us together recall why your misery is largely your own doing.

Have I not given you all the tools you need to govern yourselves? I’ve even written them down in two precious documents, and defend them mercilessly with a bill of rights.