We all know these immortal words from the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The history of the American republic has been a long, difficult struggle to realize these truths.

Yes, we have made much progress. Through hard work and the determination of free citizens, America has moved well beyond July 4, 1776, when mass slavery and second-class status for women were the norm.

But 243 years later, a scan of today’s headlines reminds us we have much work to do if we want to form, as the Constitution exhorts, “a more perfect union.”

The bitter polarization of our politics appears driven mostly by an ill-informed contempt for the other side. There seems to be little interest in finding common ground on issues such as immigration, gun regulation, climate change, environmental regulations and government help for the poor. Ideological broadsides have replaced reasoned debate.

It’s unfortunate, because there should be plenty of room for thoughtful compromise.

A new study called “The Perception Gap,” by the advocacy group More In Common, surveyed the views of 2,100 Americans from all parts of the political spectrum, and found that we are not as divided on even the most controversial issues as we think we are.

“Americans have a deeply distorted understanding of each other,” the report concluded.

Perhaps this is true even in Hawaii, where our divisions are masked by a dominant Democratic Party and a culture of tolerance. It is a disturbing trend to see, especially on the day set aside for us to recognize our unity, our common national heritage.

Perhaps we need reminding that the rights articulated by the Declaration — the Declaration we celebrate today — are bigger than our squabbles. Moreover, they are not specific to our state or country, but are universal. They are “unalienable rights,” the Declaration says, “endowed by (our) Creator.”

So they belong equally to the wealthy living high in Kakaako luxury condos, and to the hardscrabble houseless in leaky tents on the streets below. They belong to undocumented immigrants and citizens alike. They belong to Native Hawaiians, including those who challenge the legitimacy of the U.S. Constitution in Hawaii. They belong to the elderly poor, isolated and haunted by malnutrition and fear of homelessness. They belong to those with disabilities. They belong to our friends and neighbors. They belong to all of us.

Independence Day is set aside to celebrate those rights together, regardless of our status, and to embrace the ideals upon which our government was formed.

We do this not only with parades and fireworks, although these are proper ways to celebrate, endorsed by the Founders themselves.

We also celebrate our patriotism every time we engage in work to make our city, state and country a better place. When we go down to the Legislature to lobby government on behalf of worthy causes. When we pick up litter on the beach. When we donate to social services like Meals on Wheels. When we treat each other with respect. And especially when we vote.

So let’s celebrate a safe and happy Fourth of July, and remember that it is only through our collective efforts that we have what Ronald Reagan called “the greatest, freest nation in the world — the last, best hope of man on Earth.”