Four freedoms

Independence Day is tomorrow and I thought it might be worth reflecting on some wisdom from the past of this great nation...

The Four Freedoms were goals articulated by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1941 State of the Union address, which became known as the Four Freedoms speech.  He proposed four fundamental freedoms that people "everywhere in the world" ought to enjoy:

1. Freedom of speech and expression
2. Freedom of worship
3. Freedom from want
4. Freedom from fear

His inclusion of the latter two freedoms went beyond the traditional US Constitutional values protected by its First Amendment, and endorsed a right to economic security.  But with 23% of this country's children living in poverty, can we really say we have achieved freedom from want.

Enjoy your holiday, but let us also re-commit ourselves to this vision of a community, a country where everyone is free from hunger.

Gloria