George Santayana wrote "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

This is where we are as a country. It's not a crossroads. It's not a tipping point. It's simply the road we're on. It's neither shameful or sinful, nor something to be proud of. It's just a path we are destined to travel.

In our countries indulgences of the freedom from want and famine and plague most citizens have willingly begun to ignore the history that got us here and taken the easy road. We give token nods to the wars and previous suffering at the hand of the earlier tyranny, self assured that we've left all that behind.

We are not the first to loose our way and we will not be the last.

A great many people around the world who thought they were "free" have come to the realize their freedom was tenuous at best and imaginary at worst. Now they have to make a choice. You have to make a choice. You must take choose to take action to preserve freedom or become a peasant to those who want to rule you?

Action doesn't mean violence or grand gestures you shout to the world.

Abandon the political party who repeatedly ignored you. (Dem or Rep.) Cut off the money you spend with corporations who repeatedly work to undermine your beliefs and morals. Take a job with a moral company. Move to better state or town, even 20 miles can make world of difference. Shop a small business where you know the owner. Walk away from the toxic people in society. Get involved in your community, be it the Lions club, the Kights of Columbus, The Elks, The Rotary or some other organization or some other group full of good people.

And lastly remember you cannot know it all. Focus on something you're passionate about. Be it abortion, education, immigration, government corruption, free speech, history, whatever. Know the facts, be able to state simply and plainly in a conversation "you know I found out x" in way that's factual and compelling without being antagonistic, spiteful or arrogant.

'Free' is both a state of being and an action. Continue to build that better future our founding fathers laid out.