Winston Churchill is credited with the observation that democracy is the worst form of government on earth-but it's heap sight better than anything else out there. This July 4 we Americans will celebrate our experiment with democracy that has now lasted 230 years. We are well of aware the shortcomings that come with a government of imperfect people, by imperfect people and for imperfect people. But few citizens would trade it for anything else.

This Fourth of July, let's remember that with freedom comes personal responsibility. Our forebears certainly understood that when they put their lives on the line for their noble ideals about self-government and the equality of all people under the law. We should do no less. -DR

Give 'em room

On July 1, a new law goes into effect in Kansas that requires motorists to switch to the lane furthest from any stationary vehicle displaying flashing lights, particularly vehicles used by roadside workers. The so-called "Move Over Law" was passed by the Kansas Legislature following the deaths of two Kansas Department of Transportation workers who were killed in traffic accidents in 2005. A similar law already exists to protect law enforcement and emergency workers.

Violators of the new law will receive warnings until July 1, 2007. After that they can be fined $90 for failure to move over. It's in everybody's best interest to play it safe on the highway. -DR