America’s 250th birthday is a special anniversary in the history of our nation; the success of this great experiment should be celebrated and, this year, I would encourage you to reflect on what it is that has made America so special.

Alexis de Tocqueville, a political philosopher who studied and toured America in the 19th century, once commented that America’s culture of voluntary association is one of our nation’s greatest strengths. Ordinary citizens coming together in groups, clubs, churches, charities, civic organizations, and local committees to solve problems together rather than waiting for government action was essential to our democratic republic. His fear was that the more people withdrew into private life, communities would weaken and people would become more reliant upon the government to solve problems.

Everything about America’s founding supports the freedom and liberty necessary for such voluntary associations to exist: the separation of powers, state sovereignty, and the bill of rights (especially the freedom of speech, the freedom to exercise our faith, and the freedom of the press). Our founders did not want people to serve, or even rely upon, their government structures; rather, our founders envisioned those government structures serving the people by protecting freedom and liberty.

With that basic and fundamental protection came the necessary conditions for economic opportunity and for business to thrive. Everyday we enjoy the fruits of a free market economy. Not only can we benefit from the inherent value of our work, but we can go to the grocery store and purchase foods from around the world, we can go to a hardware store to obtain the materials necessary to fix our homes or build new ones, and we can press a few buttons on a phone app and an almost limitless number of goods can be on our doorstep in a few days.

The most vital, and necessary, voluntary associations are the military branches that protect our freedoms and liberties, though they exist at a great cost. Many men and women who have served our nation in the military have laid down their lives to keep the experiment going. Even more men and women are still suffering the effects of their military service; families and friends of those service members carry the pain of loss and/or trauma. Without those sacrifices it is certainly true we would not be here celebrating 250 years of the United States of America.

It is painfully obvious that de Tocqueville’s fear, though, is coming true in our time. Modern technologies make it easier to be distant from each other, to think we know a person without actually getting to know that person (just look at the comments on social media that some people post). More volunteer organizations are struggling with recruitment. Our “politics” seem more divisive than ever. Even in the state legislature, sometimes I make an argument to a half-empty chamber. It frustrates me because listening, having respectful conversations, and trying to find solutions together is how we should be crafting good legislation.

So if we want this great American experiment to continue, let us channel our passion and pride for this nation we are so blessed to call home and let us take steps to be a better community by making the effort to be with each other, to volunteer, to try to solve problems by listening and working together to come up with solutions.

Assemblyman Andrew Molitor represents the 150th Assembly District, encompassing all of Chautauqua County. For more information on Assemblyman Molitor, please follow him on Facebook.