Common Sense - by Thomas Paine, Feb 14, 1776
"O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia, and Africa, have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind." - Thomas Paine, Common Sense
Today is a day to reflect on those braves souls who dared stand up against the tyranny of oppressive government. It was a tremendous series of escalating events and feelings that led the colonies to declare independence from Mother England and set up the first government elected by the people. The United States are the beacon for all of mankind that human freedom and dignity are inalienable rights of all men and women. While there are some who still wish to impress their values on the rest of the nation, I am so grateful to live in such a free society compared with the rest of the world. I think of the current Arab Spring and their revolutions against their corrupt monarchies and dictatorships. The common theme is people long to be free. This is common sense. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. This is what we all require to live free. The freedom to speak your mind, the freedom from religious oppression, the freedom to elect your own government, the freedom to be able to improve your situation, and the recognition that your neighbors have those same freedoms are all things I will be thinking about today as we celebrate 235 years since our nation's independence.
Happy Independence Day!
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