Today, people of the United States, as they celebrate the 248th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, ought to be neck-deep in patriotic pride for having the opportunity to live in this nation of freedom and abundance, despite its imperfections.

Of course, as everyone who pays attention to the news knows, the patriotic pride this holiday deserves won’t be close to the unanimity that this day deserves to exhibit.

The divisions on many political and non-political fronts – national, state and local – will not be eroded by the meaning, history and significance of today’s observance, nor by the efforts of communities, politicians and other leaders to emphasize the positives about the good things around them.

However, people of this country should make a valiant effort to, at least for this one day, set aside their differences and proclaim a sincere desire to make America the envy of everywhere else on this planet.

Indeed, as is customary, people all over this planet will be watching how citizens of the United States demonstrate their appreciation for the rights and privileges with which they live daily, even though many Americans will continue to remain at odds with each other over the extents and limitations of those privileges and opportunities.

But lack of total unity has been a fact of life in America from its beginnings. Even the Founding Fathers were not totally on the proverbial same page every day the Declaration of Independence was being crafted.

Nevertheless, they created a document that would set the stage for growth of a nation that would become the guiding light – and remain the guiding light – for so many others wanting – and trying to pursue – a better life.

When most people reflect on America’s beginning, its declaring of independence on July 4, 1776, they are quick to remember names such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock (whose large, bold signature on America’s founding document, according to legend, was so the King of England would not need spectacles to read it).

But people should not fail to reflect on the influence of John Adams, who eventually became America’s second president.

In the July 3, 2019, Wall Street Journal, Paula Marantz Cohen, a dean and English professor at Drexel University, wrote that “of all the Founding Fathers, John Adams … was the metaphorical father of a nation whose character he … tried to shape, often against fierce resistance.

“No man was more honest, more passionate, better read or more prepared for the public offices he filled. At the same time, no man was more vilified and scoffed at,” she wrote, and continued: “Adams expressed himself without moderation and was enormously thin-skinned. He couldn’t see that the men he dealt with – even those as august and admirable as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson – weren’t as plain in intention as he was. He was deeply invested in doing right, even when impolitic to do so.

“Men like Adams are rare in public life today.”

Well said. Two years from now, whatever becomes the accepted term for the USA’s 250th anniversary – the potential list of names will include “quartermillennial,” “semiquincentennial” and “sestercentennial” – should help instill a revived dedication toward this country’s well-being for as long as this planet exists.

“Neck-deep in patriotic pride” is a great goal.