By Joseph Rittenhouse
Sedona, AZ — On July 4th America celebrates 250 years of independence.
The day we signed the Declaration of Independence we established Home Rule in our country.
England tried as hard s it could to stop us, demanding that the colonies be forced to exists under no home rule, rules, sending one of the most feared armies in the world at that time to squish the rebellion.
Thus, both sides, through mortal combat, battled to determine who would rule the continent, them or us!
For Home Rule the Patriots organized and declared their independence
For Home rule they armed themselves and prepared to fight.
For Home Rule they killed and died.
Under Home Rule we built a country.
Under Home Rule our government exists.
Under Home Rule our home is our castle.
The concept of Home Rule is ingrained in the marrow of our consciousness and being, heart and soul.
That is why Sedona will vote yes on Home Rule.
Those two words carry the weight of self-government, local control, independence, and the ancient human instinct to protect one’s own house.
That is why the argument is so difficult for anti-Home Rule factions to win. They may have logic. They may have numbers. They may have criticism. They may have frustration. They may even be right.
But the other side has “home.”
And in American life, that is one powerful piece of ground to stand on.
This is not merely politics.
It is symbolism.
And symbols run deep — far deeper than logic.
When voters hear “Home Rule,” many do not hear a technical expenditure formula. They hear something far more primal. They hear the echo of an idea this nation was built upon — that people should have a voice in governing the place they call home.
That is why Home Rule rules. It’s the nature of who we are, as individuals and nation.