This editorial will appear in tomorrow's print edition.

Thomas Jefferson – chief author of the Declaration of Independence we celebrate tomorrow – had a lot to say about an informed electorate.

On one occasion, he wrote: “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”

On another occasion: “The information of the people at large can alone make them the safe as they are the sole depositary of our political and religious freedom.”

Native-born Americans can, if they choose, remain ignorant as stumps about their government. Maybe that’s a luxury of living in a country that enjoys political stability unheard of in many parts of the world.

But what a dubious perk if ignorance keeps Americans marginalized on the periphery of civic life. They cannot hope to hold government accountable from that vantage point.

This week, more than 6,000 immigrants will become citizens. They have demonstrated a grasp of U.S. history and government that sadly eludes many Americans for whom citizenship is a birthright, not a privilege.

Here are a few question from the citizenship test that naturalized citizens must pass. Test your own knowledge and see how “free” you really are.

1. What is the supreme law of the land?

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“[America’s Independence Day] will be celebrated by succeeding Generations as the great anniversary Festival…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Sh[o]ws, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations, from one end of this Continent to the other, from this Time forward, forever more.” John Adams to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776

John Adams’ prediction about our July 4 celebrations, quoted above, is pretty much on the money. True, he thought July 2 was Independence Day (that’s a long story), and he left out fried chicken and potato salad; he also stated there would be “Acts of Devotion to God Almighty.” So he was a little off. But for the most part he got July 4 right.

But what about the “Illuminations”? “Illuminations”? That’s 18th-century speak for “Fireworks.” And, as it turns out, Adams only got part of the “Illuminations” prediction right.

True, we will have many “Illuminations” this Saturday night. But we’ll also have overbearing anti-fireworks laws in action – neighbors ratting out neighbors and dozens of police squad car patrols, all to smell out and arrest the “Illuminators.” And then there’ll be the poor kids who have only sparklers and smoke bombs, because mom and dad want them to be “safe and sane.”

Give me a break! The American Revolution was fought in opposition to centralized authority, by patriots who refused to bow to an overbearing government – “Don’t Tread on Me!” “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!”

Two hundred years later, we have the Nanny State, watching our every move, protecting us from ourselves because of the fundamental progressive (not Revolutionary) belief that most of us common folks are too irrational (read “stupid”) to take care of ourselves.

Thank Heavens for the Indians! Thank Heavens that a group of Americans so betrayed by American Revolutionaries has endured into the twenty-first century, embraced capitalism, and built Fireworks (“Illuminations”) Stands! The only truly free territory in Pierce County is on the Puyallup and Muckleshoot Reservations!

“Give me Illuminations or give me Death!”

p.s. #1 Thanks to DA, whose thoughts are always “illuminating.”
p.s. #2 Note John Adams also refers above to “Guns” as part of the celebration. Keep that thought…