Freedoms.

This Independence Day, we have a thing or two to say about freedom.

We have something to say about the rampant proliferation of the word freedoms. (Yes, we have italicized it as though it were a foreign word. We believe it to be. Foreign, that is.)

Witness:

Now, this is *in no way* intended to be a repudiation of the malevolent policies of the current administration or the people who advance said policies. It just happened that the most recent and visible example of the use of freedoms came closely attached to the current President's name.

We want to talk about what it means to put an "s" at the end of freedom.

Freedom, as a foundational principle of our nation, is singular. Case in point.

Freedom, singular, is indivisible. E Pluribus Unum: Out of many, ONE. We the People are indivisible.

Freedoms, on the other hand, are entirely divisible. They come as an a la carte offering. You pick the ones you like. You fight the people who pick the ones you reject.

Freedoms stand as a repudiation of our founding ideals.

Freedoms are all about E Pluribus Multis. Out of many, many.

The addition of one tiny letter alters the meaning. The move from singular to plural is not a move to increase and amplify what the word means on its own. Instead, it is a way to polarize. Imagine: The addition of that "s" takes it from a concept that unifies to a word that divides.

That move to divide seems perpetual right now. But July 4th provides us another opportunity to stand together. For the singular freedom that we all enjoy, respect, and will fight to preserve and uphold.

Happy Independence Day!