Since America seems to be rewriting its basic founding principles, beliefs and traditions, it has occurred to me that “We the People” should join in.

With Independence Day near, might I suggest we do some rewriting of our own in celebration. However, America’s transformation is a work in progress and today’s rewrites may be only temporary and require further rewrites down the road. Let’s call this installment Independence Day 2015.

Your rewrite may require some thought. You see “things that once were but no longer are” can be difficult to express. It can be hard to get beyond those feelings of nostalgia. You might alter an amendment, maybe update the definition of marriage, how about changing parts of the Declaration of Independence, making up your own preamble could be fun.

My choice is some rewording of our National Anthem. For many of you government teachers, illegal aliens and millennials, it’s also known as the Star-Spangled Banner. In case you’ve forgotten, lyrics by Francis Scott Key and tune by John Stafford Smith.

O say can you see, by the darkness of night

What so blindly we hail, our to-tal-i-tarin rule

Whose control over speech, and religious constraints

O’er a citizenry by class, where justice is rejected

And with liberty removed, and protection denied

Gives proof thru the night, that Democracy is dead

O say may the Constitution, never lead us again

O’er this land of the weak, and the home of the oppressed.

It’s regrettable we can no longer enjoy the justice, domestic tranquility, common defense, general welfare and the blessings of liberty we once commanded and enjoyed. But you still get the day off. Right? Enjoy your hotdogs. Whoops, is it still legal to grill outdoors?