America celebrated its 238th birthday last week on the Fourth of July, and apparently a good time was had by all. The fireworks and celebrations were spectacular from sea to shining sea.

It is all well and good when the trials and tribulations of everyday America can be set aside for one day and filled with celebration and thanksgiving for our country.

The displays of patriotism and nationalism seem to be waning with each passing generation except for this one day each year.

I suppose there is ample blame to be shared, but it is quite clear young Americans aren’t being taught nearly enough about patriotism and what it means to be American. Somehow, it has to be reemphasized to generations to come that “freedom is not free,” and must be protected and defended by each generation.

Regardless to what some may say, we are an exceptional people and should act accordingly.

A recent Gallup poll finds Americans satisfied with their level of freedom has eroded from the No. 1 position in the world in 2006 to No. 36 today.

There has been a significant rise in the percentage of Americans dissatisfied with the freedom to choose what they do with their lives from 9 percent in 2006 to 21 percent today. Almost a quarter of Americans now say they are not satisfied with the amount of freedom they are experiencing in our country according to the Gallup poll.

The development of a subculture of “hatriots” rather than patriots is disturbing. As a matter of fact, I’m not pleased with the hope and change either, but I do not hate our country.

There is still prayer and the vote for a better future.

According to the Index of Economic Freedom published jointly by the Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal, we have descended a dramatic 6 points from being ranked economically free in 2006.

Attributing to the decline is a large loss of property rights, freedom from corruption, and control of government spending.

We are the only country to record a loss of economic freedom in each of the past 7 years.

Are you beginning to see the hand writing on the wall? Let’s hope so.

Over the holiday, I did read a word of encouragement I’ll share.

It came from an Australian political figure named Nick Adams, author of “The American Boomerang,” as quoted in an article by Kara Jones, internist at Townhall.

Adams, speaking at the Heritage Foundation, admits America is in decline but cautions it must preserve its distinct value system in order to “boomerang back to greatness.”

“It’s optimism, not pessimism. It’s patriotism, not relativism. It’s faith, not secularism. It’s life, not death. It’s E Pluribus Unum, not multiculturalism. It’s individualism, not collectivism. It’s equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome.”

Furthermore, Adams continues, America can boomerang back, but it needs to “unite behind a consensus-inspiring agenda.”

“The agenda should end the waste, pay off the debt, axe political correctness, limit government, protect its borders, preserve Judeo-Christian values, end cultural entitlements, cut taxes, keep the peace with unquestionable military advantage, and exercise fidelity to the constitution.”

Leave it to an outsider to hammer home the failures of our government and caliber of our elected officials.

It is a tall order, but America has faced unfavorable odds before and overcome.

Abraham Lincoln said, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

Pray for an epiphany and vote.