Very beautifully written, my friend.
I tend to agree with most of what you say most of the time.
This is one of many occasions where I agree with every single word you said.

Happy Independence Day and glory to those who think independently.

Sami great minds think alike. :)

First, I highly recommend the movie "V for Vendetta" if you haven't seen it. "People shouldn't fear their government. The government should fear their people." And yes, the movie is superior to the graphic novel on which it is based (sorry Alan Moore).

Second, another Zig Ziglar [very condensed] story. Holiday celebration and mom cuts off the end of the roast before putting it in the oven. Daughter asks why and mom says "because that's what my mom did." Daughter turns to grandma and asks her, gets same answer. Daughter calls great-grandma, who says "I cut the end of the roast off because it wouldn't fit into my roasting pan." [Can you tell my parents played and replayed Zig tapes on all our long car trips? Great stuff though.]

"Think critically. Question authority. Write your own Declaration."

Joa.
Although I would like to add "Think self-critically" in front of that.
Otherwise we quickly end up at the other extreme, which senses conspiracies behind every authority.

Even if that was probably "carrying owls to Athens".  ;-)

Michael yes, I've seen V for Vendetta... years ago when it first came out. Probably due for a rewatch. That Zig story is AWESOME. Love it.

Lars yes, of course, it's important to think critically and question things, but you have to do so from the standpoint of being educated. One of my favorite slogans is "everything's a conspiracy theory when you don't understand how anything works." So a strong foundation in science, mathematics, history, and logic are very important.

And I've always preferred "bringing sand to the beach" myself. LOL. Are we still allowed to say "sell ice to an Eskimo" or is that no longer correct? :)

Coal to Newcastle was the first such saying I heard. As an American, had to have it explained.