We’ve seen a lot of fireworks lately from our fellow Americans in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act. Those fireworks started two years ago and built to a crescendo – a Grand Finale, if you will – last week. Perhaps a little break from all the explosions (most of Arkansas will be under a burn ban this 4th of July) – rhetorical and colorful – is just what the doctor ordered.

The truth of the matter is this: we have a lot of work ahead of us in this country and in Arkansas. Fireworks may be entertaining, but they only last for a few seconds before falling to the earth in ashes. Real ideas and real leadership require something much more substantial. That’s what we need to ask of our elected leaders in Washington and in Little Rock. Where do they stand? Are they willing to work with their political adversaries in order to keep the state and country moving? Can they set aside ideology in order to govern effectively?

Our country came into being because of fundamental differences over how we should be governed. While we have progressed to the point where our differences are no longer settled with muskets and cannons, we still must carry on the tradition of asking tough questions and making simple demands. For us at AACF, we demand that every child and family have the resources and opportunities to lead healthy and productive lives and to realize their full potential. That simple belief carries us forward from one day to the next, pushing governments to do their best for our kids.

With elections coming in the next few months, we need you to ask those tough questions and make simple demands, too. It’s important that our lawmakers know how you feel about issues like children’s health, affordable child care, and an opportunity to learn for all children. How can we expect them to represent us if we never let them know what we want? It’s up to us to make sure they hear our voices.

What would you ask? What do you want your lawmakers to know about how you think government should look? Let us know. We plan to compile a list of questions for our advocates to ask lawmakers and candidates this year. Perhaps you are sitting on the most important question. Share it with us so we can make sure others ask it, too.

In the meantime, please take a few hours on July 4th to enjoy your family, your friends, and your freedom. Remember that more unites us than divides us. It’s a wonderful truth that we have the chance to even ask some of these questions. That alone is worth celebrating, even if you can’t light a bottle rocket in its honor.