In honor of our Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1776, I share an excerpt from an analysis of this most profound statement of self-governance that I believe should be recalled by leaders of today.
Some context to the act of defiance and creation of our country we celebrate today from the U.S. Department of State:
"The frontier society of the American colonies had fostered a greater sense of individual autonomy, a sense that government should not interfere in the daily lives of its citizens, and that the purpose of government is to secure and protect the liberty and property of its citizens...The pamphlets that began to appear in the colonies in the early 1760s attacked the growing power of Parliament and warned that such increased authority would undermine their individual liberties...the belief that government exists to preserve the rights of the people, and can be dissolved if it fails to do so, remains a prime article of faith for Americans."
Where I come from in my comments on my blog is a premise that government - meaning those smart enough, committed enough and with all due respect, arrogant enough (perhaps "confident" is the right word) to be elected - needs to be viewed with skepticism. This should not be a surprise to anyone with a sense of our history.
Thanks for being a part of this blog and sharing your skepticisms. I hope it is a source for worthwhile debate and ideas.
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