What would John Adams think?

- Editor's note: Tanya Amador-Daigle is reporting for Florida Weekly on the national primaries until the presidential candidates are chosen this summer. She has a unique perspective on the primaries and the process for choosing a candidate, having traveled the country reporting on primaries and caucuses for the Purple States project. To learn more about Purple States go to www.purplestates.tv.

Last week I celebrated Independence Day at a parade in Bonita Springs and then it was on to a cookout in the evening with friends. Like most Americans, that night we watched the fabulous display of fireworks explode in the balmy night skies. I had a little break from the festivities during the afternoon that gave me the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the day.

I found myself comparing the original meaning of the 4th of July to where we have evolved to as a country and what it means today. With the general election just around the corner, I tried to think about which candidate would have been more likely to gain the support of our founding fathers. In fact, it turned into an interesting thought process that I enjoyed immensely with me, myself and I.

When I think of John Adams I think of how he exemplified the role of a diplomat. In his day, Adams traveled throughout Europe solidifying our relationships with our allies in the war against the British. In other respects he was also a revolutionary and a tireless advocate of human rights and American freedoms for the 13 colonies.

This got me thinking about the War on Terror and how Adams would view the stances of the candidates. It is my belief that he would have been thoroughly appalled at the notion of negotiating with those who threaten our freedoms. It is for this reason that I do not think he would support Sen. Obama's views on meeting with terrorsponsored nations.

Although I do think Adams would exhaust all diplomatic channels available to him before rushing to an extreme decision like war, I also think he would be willing to parley with nations sympathetic to the cause of freedom. In spite of both of those things I do not think he would ever waiver towards any nation. Our freedom is not negotiable or for sale.

I also think our forefathers would be proud of the fact that because of the legacy they left behind, Americans can now change their destiny and ideals if they choose to. And it is for this reason that I believe our founders would have been proud of what Sen. Obama represents to many Americans. Never in our history have we chosen a black man to potentially lead our country. Never have we chosen a woman.

With the economy being such an important issue in this election, I began pondering what the establishers of our country would have thought of the current state of American economics. By the standards of the 1700's, guys like Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Washington and many others were the créme de la créme of the wealthy in the American colonies. Yet they were ready to put their necks in the noose and the necks of their families for the cause of freedom.

This brings me to taxation without representation.

In the 18th century Americans were being taxed to death by the British and had little to show for it. While the English were getting high on the hog of America's efforts and resources, Americans did not even have representation in the English Parliament.

Hmm, sounds kind of familiar, doesn't it?

Although we now have representation in government as taxpayers, we consistently see our hard-earned tax dollars being squandered on frivolous government spending. And while our government continues to suck on the teat of American workers, insurance rates and gas prices climb.

Maybe we should expect another Boston Tea Party?

It is for this reason that I think the authors of American freedom would be supportive of Sen. McCain's goals to reduce pork barrel spending.

While examining these inspiring ghosts of the past, I realized that one of the founding forefathers principles was that Americans should be self-reliant. I wonder if they would be disappointed in the fact that neither one of the candidates has provided us with any strong game plan to move America away from dependence on foreign oil.

In the end, I came to the conclusion that our founders would be proud of the average status of each American individual and our ability to prosper and succeed no matter what our race, religion or creed. This is being proven in this election. When these enlightened men were signing the Declaration of Independence, I wonder if they ever realized that we would have the advantages and the wealth that we have now as a nation. I find this especially true when I compare us to other nations.

I think those brave men who gave us our freedom so long ago would have seen that Obama and McCain, while both having weaknesses and strengths, still represent the fact that Americans will never lose that rebellious spirit that pushes us to succeed and persevere. I just hope that each of these candidates can remember the principles this nation was founded on, so that the one that gets elected can get us back on track.