"Laws control the lesser man... Right conduct controls the greater one."  Mark Twain

Tomorrow we celebrate the 236th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  While Twain postdates the Founding Fathers, I think those men who wrote, debated, and signed the declaration would have agreed with him.  Along with the Constitution, our Founding Fathers gave us a republic with limited government and just and reasonable laws.  They didn't burden us with libraries full of regulations, micro-management, executive orders, and other dangerous twaddle.  I believe that is because our government was created by basically moral men - despite their human weaknesses - for basically moral men - and women.  When people began to demand that their government take care of their every need, excuse their every sin, and justify injustice, then they are ripe for a fall.  Alexis de Toqueville, French political analyst of the early 19th century, was impressed by the connection between American democracy and Christian morality.  He said that America was great because America was good and if she ever ceased to be good, she would cease to be great.

So as we prepare to celebrate our nation's birthday tomorrow, remember Twain's assertion.  If I make myself a promise to let right conduct control me each day of my life; and you make that vow; and our neighbors make that vow; then perhaps we have a chance of turning things around in this country in a way that would make our Founding Fathers proud.  What a great birthday present we could give America.