I'VE BEEN LOST IN THE WORLD

So, I've been away from this blog for a while. I took a break from the gov, the news or anything related to it.

You know what I found out? I found out that I am less stressed, at more peace and life seems much more fun.

However, I know that this is exactly how you wake up one day with all your freedoms lost. Reason. You take them for granted and expect them to always be there, and they are not.

Hell, I don't even know who's running for pres...and anyone who knows me would be surprised by that fact, cause I'm the guy that has congress on speed dial and recieves christmas cards from my congressman.

well, that's really all I have to say about the matter.

wel3

July the 4th, Our Birthday!!

America, referring to the United States, is officially 234 years old on July 4, 2010.

Sometimes we get wrapped up in the fireworks displays and other activities on the Fourth but we must take time as individuals to understand the true meaning.

The Fourth of July is a national holiday and it represents what our founding fathers went through in declaring independence. Our forefathers took enormous risk in creating and signing the Declaration of Independence and the Fourth of July is a celebration of that action.

It was the beginning of OUR nation when the Declaration of Independence was signed by brave individuals who stood and declared we want to be free. ( Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776), the Declaration of Independence was/is the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty.

The political philosophy of the Declaration was not new; its ideals of individual liberty had already been expressed by John Locke and the Continental philosophers.

**What Jefferson did was to summarize this philosophy in "self-evident truths" and set forth a list of grievances against the King in order to justify before the world the breaking of ties between the colonies and the mother country. **

How much power to allow the central government was the reason for the Constitution.

During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government.

Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens.
Thus we have our freedoms to this day because WE ARE PROTECTED from the gov in order to retain our liberty.

The Fourth of July should not only be a celebration of our independence of over 200 years ago but also the recognition that freedom does not come free.

It takes individuals who stand up for our right to live and the freedoms we enjoy to keep those freedoms in place. We are living in a time that our gov is growing into the same monster that made the birth of this great nation possible.

Do everything you can to keep your birth right. And everything you can from a gov once again putting its people in a state of enslavement to its gov.

The principles in the Declaration of Independence and those written into the Constitution are what this country is about.

It is only right and fitting that we honor all military personnel at these celebrations and let them know we appreciate their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families.

TO WE THE PEOPLE!! Let us celebrate and remember how we have the freedoms we enjoy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY......NOW GO EAT A HOTDOG AND A BURGER.

COMMON CAUSE-The search for Independence

It was a day unlike any other day, when on July 8, the Declaration of Independence was read in public for the first time in Philadelphia. The year was 1776 and it was published in newspapers, copied, reprinted, and widely disseminated throughout the colonies.

Upon being elected to the Second Continental Congress in 1775, Thomas Jefferson drafted the "Declaration of Causes and Necessities of Taking up Arms." During the first Continental Congress, (which he did not attend because of his wife's illness) Jefferson sent A Summary View of the Rights of British America, which advocated a natural right to self government for America.

I believe it is very important to always realize this was not a decade of rebellion, but rather a decade of taking and reclaiming a freedom that the people of the colonies were afforded before the tyranny of the government of Great Britain.

Thomas Paine, a man of great insight wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense. Common Sense caused a decisive and spontaneous change in thought and action across America. The word first whispered by John Adams to members of Congress-"INDEPENDENCE"-was now shouted across the land.

George Washington at a low point of morale had Common Sense read aloud to the troops, and stated that it had "sound doctrine and un-answer able reasoning" and that it was "working a powerful change in the minds of many men."

In the writings of Common Sense, Thomas Paine openly advocated a new and original political thought. "Power of the People."

Common Sense was read aloud on city streets, passed around schools and preached from the pulpits of churches. (now days progressives are disconnect from such a thought) It was heard by almost every American citizen and in turn transformed them into patriots with a fearless spirit. And after returning from the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Colonel Christopher Gadsden burst into South Carolina's provincial congress carrying a copy of Common Sense in one hand and in the other, a handmade yellow flag bearing the inscription: "DON'T TREAD ON ME." (today known as the Gadsden Flag) He immediately advocated "absolute independence for America."

When Common Sense was first released, the Continental Congress watched and waited for the reaction of the people at large.

On May 15, Congress recommended that the individual colonies sever all relations with Great Britain and created new and independent governments. This resolution was introduced by none other than John Adams. The man that years earlier had refused to have his ships boarded and was arrested for it back in 68. He had proposed the idea in 1774, but now was the time.

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution with three primary elements: 1) formulation of new continental constitution. 2) establishment of foreign commercial alliances, and 3) a declaration of independence.

Four days later on June11, Congress established a committee of five to draft the document. The appointed members were: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingstion and Thomas Jefferson. The members asked Jefferson to take the job of writing the declaration. Jefferson was asked to write the document because he was thought well of through out all the colonies and it was considered support would be thought of as well. Adams gave three reasons why he wanted Jefferson to take the lead. These are the reason he gave in a conversation with Jefferson: 1) He was a Virginian. 2) Adams said, "I am obnoxious, suspected and unpopular." "You are very much otherwise." 3) Telling Jefferson, "you can write ten times better than I can."

The humility and self-knowledge displayed by John Adams paved the way for the creation of one of the most compelling documents in History.

Jefferson took two weeks to draft the Declaration of Independence. Franklin and Adams reviewed Jefferson's first draft, made a few minor revisions, but it was presented to the entire Congress largely untouched. The birth of a nation was about to take its first breath of air.

John Adams quickly became the Declarations most ardent advocate in an attempt to persuade the doubting states. Thomas Paine was one of the main lobbyist (yes there was lobbyist then) in favor of the Declaration. But it was George Washington's report that a British fleet of more than a hundred vessels had sailed into New York Bay that did it. The fleet seemed to be an all out attack on American positions and the final straw.

The Declaration was not only to declare independence, but to justify a separation from Great Britain. The Declaration was specifically aimed at King George III, largely because the colonies had already disclaimed Parliament's authority.

PEOPLE NOW HAD A COMMON CAUSE.

Similar to Common Sense, the Declaration of Independence was an act of treason against the government of Great Britain.

John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration. He signed in large letters so that King George III "might read it without his spectacles." John said. This may have been some displayed anger because of his arrest back in 1768.

"We must be unanimous" said Hancock to the others on July 4. "There must be no pulling different ways. We must all hang together."

"YES," replied Ben Franklin, "we must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."

The founding fathers knew there would now be no turning back. It was all or nothing. The last line in Jefferson's document stated their dedication: "FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE DECLARATION...WE MUTUALLY PLEDGE TO EACH OTHER OUR LIVES, OUR FORTUNES, AND OUR SACRED HONOR."

wel3

Uncommon Good Sence-Our Founding History-Part 2

While it was clear that the American people were ready to fight for their freedom, it was equally clear that the British government seemed intent on taking over the reins of authourity and power. (I think at this point it is important to state that the people had their freedom prior and th British tyranny took it from the people).

The American peoples tempers and passion began to rise due to the fact of a series of new oppressive government decrees. And in turn Great Britain was equally defiant toward the American people.

On August 14, 1764 an effigy was hung from an elm tree in Boston's Hanover Square. Beside it was a large black boot with a devil crawling out of the opening. This area became a gathering point for protesting Americans and beating the effigy or the boot was sybolic of striking a blow for freedom. This effigy became know as the "Liberty Tree".

The Quartering Act of 1765 permitted the quarting of British troops in private residence without the permission of homeowners. The stamp act of 1765 required stamps (tax) be purchased and placed on nearly all publicly sold goods. Poor people were thrown out of work because their employers could not afford to pay both them and the government. As a result British officals were seized and beaten by American citizens and the slogan "no taxation without representation" was heard all across the land.

In 1766 the Declaratory Act, which proclaimed Parliaments supreme power over the colonies in both taxation and legislation. In 1767 the government implemented the Townshend Acts-a series of external taxes levied on imports. The government now had all economic control over the people. Unauthorized warrents and seizures were now in place and American fiscal affairs were to be controlled by Great Britain.

There was no organized revolutionary movement in America. However, gradually and steadily a determination to resist government autority grew among businessman, merchants, professionals and southern plantation owners.

Fevers where high and in April of 1768 a Boston businessmen by the name of John Hancock defiantly prevented an inspection of one of his cargo ships. This led to his arrest, but charges were dropped. Even though these charges were dropped individual disobedience of government law became more and more common.

On October 1, 1768 a large number of British troops landed in Boston to suppress the dissidents and provide coeraive support for the local government. People immediatily resented their presence and groups began roaming the streets.

March 5, 1770 the British opened fire on one band of unarmed citizens, killing five and wounding six. Word spread quickly throughout the colonies of "The Boston Massacre". Liberty Trees were consecrated from South Carolina to Connecticut as Americans rallied against the tyranny of government and freedom.

After a few years of trying to quell the outrage, in March 1773 through the newly form Gaspee Commission, the govrnment took unprecedented step of assuming power to negate trial by jury in the American colonies. And as that was not enough, Parliament passed the Tea Acto of 1773 in an effort to rescue the near bankrupt East India Company. (Any of this sound familiar)

The British already had a monopoly on tea and the Americans were further outraged when British businessmen (tory merchants) were granted sole rights to sell tea.

Late on the evening of December 16, 1773, in what has since become knon as the "Boston Tea Party", a group of Bostonians disquised as Indians boared the British ships and thrw 342 chest of tea overboard.

January 29, 1774, after the news reached England, a privy council summoned Benjamin Franklin (who was in London at the time) and spent more than an hour insulting his virtue and character. He could do nothing but take it.

In responce to the Boston Tea Party the Boston Port Bill was passed. This created a blockade to cut off all trade with the American people until the lost tea wa repaid. Parliament also passed several laws in order to disove local governments, abolis town meetings, (sound fimular)

Those accused of capital crimes were sent to England for trial and punchment. Americans called these new laws "Intolerable Acts". By September 1774, Boston was uner siee. (In todays terms this would be Marshall Law)

The siege of Boston, along with the Intolerable Acts, raised the conflict between Great Britain and the American Cololnies to a new level.

Citizens were starving, businessess were closed, people were thrown out of work, personal property values fell and peo;le were fleeing to safer places.

General Thomas Gage, acting governor of Massachusetts told American leaders. "What fools you are to pretend to resist the power of Great Britain".

The American people were outraged by the incursions and oppressivee acts taken by the British government. Loads and crates of food that were smuggled to the people, began to contain one simple note. "Consider we are all embarked in the same boat and must sink or swim together".

Citizens became committed and stood ready to preserve their homeland and to regain their freedoms that a government had taken from them. "Death is more acceptable than slavery". Resolved a group in Marlborough Mass. "A free born people are not required to submit to tyranny".

Rumors of General Gage sending troops to seize a supply of gun powder in Charlestown, and of pillage and torture. It took less than twenty four hours for an estimated 20,000 armed citizens from all over to descend on Boston to defend its inhabitants.

Clearly, the American people had had enough and were ready to fight for and regain their freedom. The American people needed leaders and those leaders rose within the ranks.

As a matter of fact, history requards the crisis of the American Revolution as having produced some of the greatest leaders that civilization has ever known.

By carefull observation and the study of acknowledged leaders, one can see the importance of small government and the destuctuion of progression and how it works against all that our founders created.

Moreover, of all the events our government has engaged in from take over, to saving bankrupt compainies, to suppression of speech, to calling protesters haters, to the circumventing of the constitution, I say its history repeating itself in the name of Social Justice.

WEL3

Uncommon good Sense-Our founding history Part I

The period surrounding the American Revolution was a time of tremendous creativity and innovations. Clearly, something was waiting to be born.

Thomas Paine, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison mapped strategy, forged consensus, picked unproven talents such as Lafayette and John Paul Jones. They among others made crucial decisions and daring choices.

Through intimidating, out maneuvering, and outsmarting the British, As well as Benjamin Franklin's private mission to Paris in search of a strategic alliance, these men faced challenges and dissension in their own ranks with an enlightened vision from which they would not stray.

It was a time of great change. There was anxiety among the masses, dissent would soon turn to action and a spark of fire is all it would take.

As tempers and passions began to rise the American people became something of a volcano waiting to erupt. Just one major quake was necessary to set them off. And Great Britain provided that catalyst with imposition of a series of new oppressive government decrees. Thus, sparks for a fire.

"A free born people are not required to submit to tyranny!"
Citizens of Marlborough Massachusetts, 1774

The spark of fire that would eventually burn around the world began in the so called New World in the thirteen American Colonies. The people of the colonies were people that for the most part had been born into the freedom that the New World and its distance from Europe afforded. The rest were seeking a better life than they had experienced in Europe. By the mid eighteenth century, all colonies had become members of the British Empire. Due to the geographic location, along with the wisdom of Old Ding George II, Americans were pretty much allowed to run their own affairs.

Philadelphia, with a population of 34,000, was the second largest in overseas British Empire. New York had a population of 22,000 and Charleston with 10,000. Because the Americans were prolific producers of goods, They had a dynamic and prosperous economy. America was famous for its "ragged currency". So named because it changed hands frequently.

HOWEVER, FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE WAS ON THE WAY.

George III, at the age of twenty two, ascended to the throne of Great Britain in 1760, American autonomy was significantly disrupted. The King immediately set out to establish his power and influence over Americans, with no respect for the culture or individuals that were already in place. King George III attempted to impose his will and personal values on a proud and fiercely independent people.

One of the Britain governments moves against the colonies was to establish the Revenue Act of 1764 (Sugar Act). This Act imposed a duty(tax) on American imports of molasses and limited distribution to and from the West Indies to America. The effect was devastating. The colonies immediately united and sent out numerous protestations to London-all of which fell on deaf ears.

Britain was now threatening their very livelihood and Liberty.

And that was a different matter altogether.

END OF PART I

WEL3

People-the bedrock of American Freedom

The Bill of Rights were written to highlight those rights enumerated to "the people", not to the government. It is illogical to even think that any of the 10 amendments were written to describe a "right" of the government.

The constitution was written to set the powers of the government, the 10 amendments were written to address the shortcomings of that document. Those amendments were expressing the rights of the people that the government could not take away. Those rights are expressly important because they are powers that are exercised to counter the power of the government.

WEL3