Today is the fourth day of the month of July, a special day during which Americans celebrate the birth of a great nation. It was on July 4, 1776, that what was soon to become the United States of America declared its independence from the kingdom of Great Britain.

It is a day worth remembering, and one that includes all manner of festivities, from fireworks to parades, to backyard barbecues. The Fourth of July is, without question, the heart of every summer in this country.

And while we're enjoying those festivities -- being extra careful not to let fireworks get out of hand and cause a wildfire -- perhaps we should also take a few moments to consider other, potential acts of independence.

The first that comes to mind is independence from foreign oil. Americans are staggering under the weight of high fuel costs, so much so that many of us are considering fundamental changes in the way we live.

There are, of course, different paths to take toward energy independence. We could -- as at least one presidential candidate recommends -- start drilling for more domestic oil, ramp up with more offshore rigs and open wildlife refuges in Alaska.

The problem with that strategy is that it's only a temporary fix -- and it might not even lower fuel costs. We'd have a few years of a mostly domestic oil supply -- and then what?

Our recommendation is to make ourselves less dependent on fossil fuels, period. Mold our lives not around the automobile, but around high-tech communications that don't require a commute. For nearby trips, consider walking or riding a bike.

Americans should also consider independence from foreign goods and commerce. We're not talking about returning to isolationist policies of past generations, but about American workers producing goods to be consumed by American buyers, bringing that offshore outsourcing back to the United States. Rising energy costs may do that anyway, but we ought to consider rebuilding American commerce as an economic tool, not a necessity.

Why not try independence from narrow-minded bigotry? There is enough hatred in the world, without Americans hating each other. Instead of constantly nagging on the negatives of a race or culture or a lifestyle choice, why not try to see the beauty in people living together in peace?

While we're at it, let's make a push for independence from war. The only explosions we need to hear are from the fireworks displays that will occur this evening. Thinking independently, why don't we promote world peace and coexistence?

On a personal level, we all should consider making ourselves more independent when it comes to family finances and financial obligations. We could strive for simpler lives, perhaps spending fewer minutes with our ears glued to a cell phone, and more time talking to the person next to us. And maybe, in streamlining and simplifying, we will discover more time to consider how we conduct our lives.

We've only scratched the surface. There are so many ways people could improve their lives, and at the same time do some favors for Mother Earth.

For too many years, we have been a throwaway society. We consume and then we discard. Landfill space is one of local government's biggest problems. Can we grant ourselves independence from those old habits? Can we build a new economy around a society whose primary objective is something other than relentless consuming?

Just a little something to think about, on this Independence Day 2008 -- which history books are likely to reveal as one of the turning points for a people celebrating the birth of the greatest nation on Earth.

(July 4, 2008)