A Personal and National Reflection

The Fourth of July has passed, and with it, the celebrations of independence. Fireworks have faded, barbecues are a memory, and the question of what independence truly means lingers in my mind. While the holiday commemorates the United States' declaration from Great Britain, as an immigrant, the word "independence" carries a deeper significance. It transcends the separation from a monarchy and encompasses a broader concept of individual freedom and self-determination.

My childhood in Soviet Russia was a stark contrast to the American ideal of independence. The state controlled every aspect of life, dictating where we lived, worked, and even what we thought. The government owned everything, leaving no room for private property or individual initiative. This system fostered dependence, not independence.

My mother, however, instilled in me the dream of a different life, a life of freedom and independence in America. This dream fueled my determination to learn English, excel in my studies, and eventually escape the confines of Soviet society.

In 1995, I became an American citizen. The stark contrast between life in the USSR and the United States was immediately apparent. Americans were free to choose their paths, to think and speak their minds, and to pursue their own dreams. This sense of freedom was exhilarating and empowering.

However, in recent years, I've observed a worrying trend. The very independence that defines the American spirit seems to be eroding. Big Government, Big Tech, and Big Media are encroaching upon our freedoms, dictating our choices and shaping our thoughts.

This erosion of independence echoes the control I experienced in Soviet Russia. The ruling elites are telling us what to drive, what to eat, and even what to think. Free speech is being censored, and dissenting voices are silenced.

As Americans, we must be vigilant. We must protect our independence and resist the forces that seek to control our lives. The time to act is now, before it's too late. We must decide whether we will safeguard our freedoms or allow our nation to become a shadow of its former self, resembling the very system we fought so hard to escape.