A few days ago the United States celebrated Independence Day, the 4th of July. While most other countries around the world have a 4th of July, they don’t have a particular reason to celebrate it. (Especially Great Britain). We celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776, because we were tired of some government far away telling us what to do.

We Americans savor our independence. We enjoy being able to decide for ourselves what we want to do, and when and how we want to do it! Hand in hand with this privilege is the need to accept the consequences of our behaviors. Americans have always recognized and appreciated this fact as well.

I think we as a nation are forgetting the value of our personal independence and accepting consequences of our actions.

We spill hot coffee on our laps and want to blame the coffee vendor. We drive way too fast and blame the car manufacturer when we roll our vehicle. We crave fossil fuels and then vilify somebody making a mistake when trying to fulfill our wants.

Ok, I know there are two sides to all issues, but I see too many places where we don’t accept the responsibility for what we do. We also let others tell us what we can and can’t do.

Since I am a dentist, I have to throw in some dental applications here… too often dental insurance tells us that of many potential options, we can only do one, and we just passively roll over and submit. Dental insurance does not evaluate a patient’s needs or wants – just says one procedure should fit everybody. I get really frustrated with that! In spite of what any insurance plan may or may not cover, I try to offer patients the very best treatment and all the options that make sense.

Where is our independence, America? Don’t give up on personal choice! Relish the idea that we get the consequences of our own actions! Make them count!

(And take care of your needed dental work as well!)