This one never gets old

The American experiment is not going well. Our civic culture is at an all-time low, we have given up our great achievements of the twentieth century, and it isn't clear where effective new leadership is going to come from. I am pessimistic in the short and medium term, but optimistic in the long run, even though I may not live to see things change. Still, on the eve of the Fourth, it's time to turn once again to the ultimate authority on that holiday to put the Declaration of Independence and what followed into perspective. Once again I reproduce on of Thomas Jefferson's last letters, written in the spring of 1826 to decline an invitation to join the few other living signatories of the document in Washington for the 50th anniversary.MONTICELLO, June 24, 1826."Respected Sir —The kind invitation I received from you on the part of the citizens of the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of American Independence, as one of the…