Used with permission from Microsoft.

To most of us, the 4^th of July means a day off from work spent with family and friends, perhaps going to a parade, having a barbeque or watching fireworks. But Independence Day signifies so much more. It not only honors the birthday of our country, but the adoption of the Declaration of Independence which tells us that we are all “created equal.”

Since July 4, 1776, our nation has grown from 2.5 million people to 311.7 million people. Hard to imagine, isn’t it?

So if all 311.7 million of us are all created equal, why isn’t everyone treated equally? Certainly, we can think of many instances in which we have been treated unfairly, or treated someone else unfairly. Corny as it may sound, it is within each of us who are fortunate enough to be living in this country to take steps to ensure that we do our very best to combat discrimination in every form, from race, religious, sex and age discrimination to discrimination against those with mental or physical challenges.

So many Americans struggle to make ends meet and face downward mobility on a daily basis. We should take a stand for one another other and see that those earning minimum wage receive their fair wages, their overtime pay and any employment benefits to which they are entitled.

Happy Independence Day to all.