250 Years Later, Americans are Still Revolutionary.

“Still Revolutionary” was the branding slogan Connecticut tried a few years back. It flopped. But I always thought it was onto something—and that something feels especially important this year, on the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding.

We’ve always been a nation of upward strivers. Renegades and disrupters: scrappy, agile, hopeful, resilient. Respecting the past but not revering it. Embracing new ideas, breaking molds, and being willing to start over.

We’re the land of new frontiers, space and ocean exploration, pathbreaking research—all revolutionizing the way we think and live.

One of my favorite parts of this job is talking—or more precisely, listening—to all kinds of people across Connecticut. This Fourth of July weekend, between fireworks and bands, what I heard constantly is that they’re proud of our country—and they know we can be better.

From marching in the Columbia and Willimantic parades to joining bell ringing ceremonies in Norwich, to participating in Declaration of Independence readings in Guilford, I heard a repeated refrain from countless people who approached me: “Keep fighting for us.” They were people of different ages, races, and backgrounds—urging a continued fight for American ideals and values like free speech and fair elections.

People want leaders to fight for their future. They believe in a country that is revolutionizing technology—the world champion in jaw-dropping innovation—but that also protects its users from corporations that might put profits over safety. They believe that we should advance medicine, scientific exploration, architecture and infrastructure, and that those leaps forward can make people’s lives better, and not just companies richer. They find meaning in their jobs—and believe in the dignity of work—but think it should be easier to afford health care, housing, and good food for their families.

While material or financial wellbeing are on their minds, they’re also thinking about basic American values, the same values that led to the American Revolution two hundred and fifty years ago: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

They want leaders who will stand up for our shared values, democratic freedoms, and civil rights.

America has always been a glorious experiment. Indeed, nobody knew whether the American Revolution would succeed or the new fledgling republic survive. The patriots who pledged their lives and sacred honor were laying it all on the line, very clear-eyed in knowing the odds were against success and many of their own countrymen and women were against them.

Their declaration of revolt, as well as other founding documents like the Constitution, were not meant to be rigid dictates. As its author Thomas Jefferson said, the earth belongs to the living. Their differences and disagreements were pronounced and persistent. They argued vociferously and vigorously about those documents, for days, months, even years. But they held together, eventually elevating what they had in common, not in conflict.

And what they had in common are many of the same bonds that hold us together today: a belief in a better future; a desire for equality and fair treatment under the law; and a commitment to individual freedoms. Their ability to create a government that delivered on those promises was imperfect—just like we are.

They also had to be humble—a virtue we all would do well to honor more often. News of the Declaration of Independence failed to make the front page of the Hartford Courant. It was on the second page, and Jefferson wasn’t mentioned, only John Hancock, probably because of his outsized signature.

These values seem threatened now. But we’re ready to fight for them. And equally urgent, ready to come together as a nation for them.

We’re still revolutionary.

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