As We Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary
Raymond Ziemkowski, for The Hearts Center®
July – August 2026 • Vol 4, No 23
The High Ideal of Freedom and Liberty in Aquarius is based on governments and institutions championing first the sovereignty and liberty of the individual. And second on a citizenry that functions within the Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
The founding fathers of The United States of America crafted a form of government and a Constitution that required a spiritually educated public living within a framework of self-discipline and enlightened understanding.
Following the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin, after being asked what form of government the delegates had created, defined it as: “A republic… if you can keep it!” His comment was a warning about the fragility, as well as the responsibilities, demanded to sustain a republican government.
Republics depend on active civic virtue in its citizens and institutions. They can fail if citizens become corrupt, apathetic, or allow concentrated power. “If you can keep it” puts the responsibility on the people to preserve liberty through participation, education, and vigilance.
A functioning republic requires laws, checks on power, and leaders that respect limits. Otherwise it risks falling into factionalism, oligarchy, or tyranny.
Maintenance of a republican form of government is an ongoing task. A civic culture of virtue, a spirit of cooperation, and institutions that allow a routine and peaceful transfer of power, must be honored and upheld.
Benjamin Franklin, experienced in dealing with the infant and fragile colonial states, knew that declaring the new nation a republic wasn’t a final triumph but the beginning of stewardship.
Over time, our democratic republic has become so compromised by political and corporate special interests and a public that largely no longer understands the personal responsibility of self-governance that our country has nearly fallen into an abyss of self-destruction.
A deep state of special interests has, over time, usurped many of the institutions of American government and society. This deep state is more than just a stain on our national identity. It is a cancer that has nearly destroyed its host.
These interests of imperialist and corporate greed throughout the world have worked for decades to program generations of youth to hate America. Our universities and educational systems have made every effort to indoctrinate students into believing that America is the villain and must be taken down.
American imperialism, based on corporate greed and conquest, is not so much a flaw in our system of government but the result of a collapsed citizenry and failed educational system. It is our responsibility to understand, engage and champion the checks and balances of self-governance within our republic.
America is still the best hope of humanity. America requires civic/spiritual redemption and transformation, just as individuals require transformation and redeeming when they have erred.
Many Americans have become so fixated on the flaws in institutions and humanity in general that they have lost hope in America and humanity. They do not understand that the jewels of freedom and liberty come with a price of an illumined self-governance and self-discipline. And that this requires a spiritual path.
Servant leadership, based on the Golden Rule, must replace the special interests of the deep state and the bureaucracy state in America.
Whatever your spiritual path may be, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, America requires your prayer, your love and your hope to weather the storms of these times.
God bless America!
Raymond Ziemkowski is a native Montanan. He has been a student of many spiritual teachings since he was a teenager, often experiencing visionary dreams and insights. For most of his adult life, he has sold crystals, gems, and books spanning the esoteric teachings of the world religions. “Over the years,” he says, “I’ve listened deeply to the customers in my store. I consider the highest teaching and path, and the best book for them to be the one that guides them to the next steps on their spiritual path.” Raymond is a long-time member of The Hearts Center Community.
Want to learn more? One way is to explore The Alchemy Exchange bookstore either online on in person. Visit HeartsCenter.org and click on “Shop” in the menu bar. Call (406) 333-7172. When in Montana, explore our brick-and-mortar store at 130 N. 2nd Street in Livingston. We’re open Mondays and Thursdays from 11 am to 3 pm.
