I have two favorite holidays: Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July. Both celebrate our nation, which I love. Thanksgiving, celebrates the pilgrim’s landing on our shores, to get rid of Mother England, and be free. July 4th, celebrates our freedom British taxes, regimentation, and harassment. Both celebrate freedom. Freedom on Thanksgiving, for a small boatload, and July 4th, freedom of a small nation. The size of the new nation on July 4th, 1776, was microscopic, compared to the size of America today. Then, the ruling elite severed ties to England. Today, the ‘ruling elite,’ which is the Congress, could, if they were so inclined, save America, just like the Patriots did in 1776, by writing the Declaration of Independence. How? By writing another Declaration of Independence, 2023 style.
What might it say? It might say that the federal government is out of control, the currency is rapidly depreciating, our borders are not secure, and tens of millions have invaded us from below. It might say that we are continually interfering in other’s business by invading and fighting on foreign soils, like Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. It might say that we are being taxed to death, regulated to death, and supporting those who should support themselves. It might say that we have a Constitution, which says in the Tenth Amendment, that individual states have governing power over themselves, and not a federal government. I am no Thomas Jefferson, but such a Declaration should be written and voted upon.
Those who voted for and signed the first Declaration, paid dearly for their actions. Five, were captured by the Brits, and tortured as traitors. Twelve, had their homes ransacked and burned. Two, lost sons in the war, and nine of the 56 signers, fought and died from wounds and hardships of the Revolutionary War. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter, had to sell his home and properties just to pay his debts, after the Brits sank his ships. He died in rags and total poverty. Thomas McKean, served in Congress without pay, had his possessions taken from him, and poverty was his reward. The properties of nine signers, were looted by British soldiers and vandals. Francis Lewis, a signer, had his home and properties destroyed, his wife jailed by the Brits, which killed her within a few months. John Hart, was driven from his dying wife’s bedside, and his 13 children fled for their lives. Think of the risks they took, signing the Declaration of Independence. They were signing their names to a document, which basically said to the Brits, who were technical governors of the new nation, “Get out, we’re in charge now. We’ve had a belly full of your laws, rules, and taxes.”
Our nation, now has close to 400 million people in it, and probably not more than a small percentage realize what’s happening to us. Just imagine what a majority of 435 members of Congress, could do to restore freedom in America. If they had the smarts and guts of the original signers, they could vote to get rid of each of the more than 1300 federal agencies, one by one. They could pass a balanced budget amendment. They could declare America to be absolutely neutral and bring all troops home. It is the same 435, who could free us, which have enslaved us. Why is it that they are so thick headed, that they don’t understand what they have done to us, and continue to do to us, with each law they pass without reading, or even giving a second thought to its contents? Why don’t they vote “NO” on every bill, other than one which would disband a bureaucracy, another regulation, another war, or another handout? Why, when someone gets elected to Congress, does their mind seemingly undergo a radical change? Is there something in the D.C. air, other than power and glory, which makes Congress mere puppets and thoughtless occupants of those fancy offices?
As individuals, we are powerless to do anything but vote, and that hasn’t worked very well. All our letters and calls to Congress don’t work, and lots of tea parties didn’t phase them, because their minds have been clouded. What has become of our once grand nation, which threw off the hackles of the Brits? Why can’t we throw off the D.C. chains that are binding? All it would take is a majority of that 435, and America could renew itself. Isn’t there some way to convince a majority of the 435? I am at a loss. Happy Fourth anyway. Fly your flag, and hope for some real changes!
- Don Stott – don@coloradgold.com