BY TONY EVERS, 46TH GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN
In celebrating the 250th anniversary of America, I’m struck by how profoundly fortunate we are to witness this grand experiment that still endures today.
As some work in earnest to dismantle the basic tenets and foundational freedoms of our country, like the freedom of speech, having a free and fair press, the right to privacy, due process and more, today there is much at stake that we cannot afford to take for granted.
But here’s the truth: What makes this state and this country exceptional is not that these features exist; it’s that they are derived from our collective ability to will them to continue.
READ MORE ESSAYS FROM OUR USA 250 FEATURE HERE
This semiquincentennial celebration is a reminder to Americans that our democracy is not a prophecy – it is self-actuating.
We must make a choice every day to continue this grand experiment. We must choose every day to accept and carry the duty our forebears entrusted to us. It’s up to us every day to choose to affirm the certainty of this legacy for our kids and their kids after them.
As we honor 250 years of America, we are called upon to remember the spirit and grit from which this story, our story, began – to forget our own prejudices, to make concessions where the greater good demands, to find common ground wherever and as often as we can, and to do the right thing when it matters most.
There is much work to do to make sure the experiment of America – and our democracy – will endure and finally deliver on the promises of hope, dignity, opportunity and prosperity for future generations. It’s up to us to make sure the next 250 are America’s best years yet.
Let’s get to work.
