It’s that time again! That holiday we hold so close to our hearts. Mine especially, since I became a US Citizen last year and have not looked back!
4th of July is a time for BBQ’s, beach parties, fireworks and general family fun. A big celebration of freedom, and all that it represents. We celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. But it is good to remember how vital this freedom is to each individual and to our country as a whole.
When I originally moved to America sixteen years ago, I held onto my British heritage, while also enjoying the privileges offered to me in the USA. I am still proud of my British roots, but becoming a US Citizen was, for me, a huge accomplishment. I was able to understand why many of our ancestors sought out a new beginning, and chose to leave a country that dictated adherence to certain beliefs. The New World offered new dreams and new hopes, and while times were, and in many cases are still hard, the dream continues to improve from generation to generation, with growth and progress still being made in many vital areas.
I believe we can at times take our freedom for granted. While we may grapple with government laws and decisions, we have moved a long way from ‘No Taxation Without Representation.’ We now celebrate democracy by electing our officials through majority vote. We are not repressed or under any form of dictatorship. The ability to speak our minds and disagree if we desire are among our unalienable rights thanks to the Declaration of Independence.
This holiday is unique to America, and is a great time to think about how you can give back to your country. Some of you may be interested in taking a look at the civics test that is required to become a US Citizen, just to see how many questions you can answer! There are also some great tips and historical facts about Independence Day, firework safety and suggestions for activities at USA.gov.
The good news for me is that the two countries I choose to love, America and the United Kingdom, have, for the most part, overcome their differences, and throughout history have worked together to make a tremendous impact on the world. Many Americans enjoy the pomp and circumstance of the British Monarchy that was so despised in 1776, and many Brits admire America for its tenacity and dedication to individual freedoms and rights.
Freedom comes in many forms, and Bay View Funding works hard to help companies in many different industries find the financial freedom they need in the form of invoice factoring. Providing accounts receivable financing allows companies to receive payment now on invoices due to be paid in the future. Putting your working capital to work encourages business success and leaves you valuable time to pursue activities not only related to business.
Here’s to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!
