This July 4th, we celebrate our 223rd anniversary as an independent nation, with all of the freedoms and liberties attached to being a citizen of the United States. Our Founding Fathers fought to create a nation whose limited government respects individual rights.

We have come far from those early days. Indeed, the stars on the flag have increased, as we have transformed from a colonial outpost to the most powerful country in the world. What was once a largely rural, agrarian society has grown to become a mostly urbanized, industrial nation. We began as a nation that tolerated slavery and racial injustice and became a nation tolerant of people from all over the world.

As a nation, we have arrived at another crossroad—whether to maintain the Founding Fathers’ philosophy of limited government power and control or to embrace exactly the opposite with the continued expansion of government’s scope and power. A government that was once created merely to facilitate commerce and protect individual rights now finds itself enmeshed in industry, finance, and if President Obama has his way, healthcare.

The United States stands on the cusp of the biggest expansion of government in generations. The government involves itself in areas beyond the scope of the Founders’ original intentions. With greater government involvement comes fewer freedoms—as companies that accepted bailout money are discovering—as will states that accept strings-attached bailout money. Will future generations look back at what we do today with admiration or derision?

This July 4th we as a nation have much to be proud of and much to look forward to. One need only compare our nation’s peaceful transition of political power to the recent clashes of rioters and police in Iran to be awed by the beauty of our republic where opposition parties do not fear threats of violence or imprisonment. However, the rapid expansion of government into all areas of our lives should give us pause.

As we remember the virtues represented by our flag, we must also consider what must be done to maintain the values the founders of this great nation left us. When Benjamin Franklin was famously asked what kind of government emerged after the American Revolution, he replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” It is up to us to determine the type of government we desire.