The American Revolution has never been completed. And due to the influences and somewhat hidden inte
What Should America Be?
Let’s answer that question based on our founding documents like the “Declaration of Independence” and the Constitution with all its amendments, as well as what is currently going on here. We need to envision the best of all possible futures. Without that in front of us, we have nothing to compare to the way things are now, and it would be difficult or impossible to take the steps needed to get to that best future.
Have hundreds of thousands of people died in defense of this country to create control by special interests, ramming their agenda down everyone else’s throats? Have millions worked and built this land to have it stolen from them? Or was there a higher purpose here?
The Declaration of Independence says that all men are created equal. Obviously, some people are better at some things than others, so we aren’t equal in special talents, but each one of us has something wonderful to bring to the table. Some people are good in business and create lots of jobs; some are excellent cooks; some are effective teachers; some are great athletes; some have beautiful singing voices; some are competent construction workers; some are excellent farmers; etc.
Under the original U.S. Constitution, Blacks, Native Americans and women were not allowed to vote. (Only landowners could vote who were white men.) But the framers of the Constitution didn’t believe it should be a static document that was absolute forever so they provided for a way to amend it. It has been amended to abolish slavery and extend the vote to women.
So what does it mean that all men are created equal?
I think Thomas Jefferson meant what he wrote in the Declaration of Independence. I think he foresaw that the evolution of this country would do away with slavery and that human rights would continue to expand. I believe that he believed that we were all equal in the eyes of God and would be judged by our good deeds and our offering of help to others, regardless of our race or ethnic background, gender, etc.
And that’s how I judge others – Are they honest in their dealings with me and don’t cheat or steal from me? Do they help others? Do they provide help to those in spiritual need? Are they forgiving? Are they talented and use those talents for the betterment of mankind? Do they help and promote business? I don’t care what country they come from or who their parents were or what the color of their skin is.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and Benjamin Franklin and John Adams (our 2nd President) approved his first version. But before it was signed, others insisted on deleting a very pertinent paragraph which was a condemnation of slavery. It claimed that King George III of England was forcing slavery on the American Colonies by suppressing every attempt by the legislatures of the Colonies to prohibit it. (Search the Net for “slavery in original Declaration of Independence” for many different sites that quote this.)
So the legislatures of the American Colonies attempted to abolish slavery, but England kept forcing it on them. That may be why slavery became an institution in the Colonies and you know that when something gets established (the Establishment), even dynamite can’t break it up. Later on I show you what England had to gain by the American Civil War, which might have been avoided if England hadn’t forced slavery on the American Colonies in the first place.
I want to live in an America that respects all people, all religions and points of view. I want to live in an America that grants liberty to all its citizens and visitors.
I want an America that doesn’t condone torture or locking someone up in prison and never charging him with a crime or giving him a fair trial. I want an America that truly believes that all people are innocent until proven guilty.
I don’t want to live in an America that pits religions against one another. Look at Europe in the 1500’s and 1600’s when religions controlled the governments. You could be slaughtered or burned at the stake if you were on the wrong side, or were even just accused of being on the wrong side.
The First Amendment to the Constitution says that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …” You can believe whatever your conscience dictates and practice whatever religion you want. There is no state religion and can never be.
It goes on to say, “… or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…” I can say whatever I want and publish whatever I want, or I can read anything and listen to anyone I want to. Or I don’t have to say something if I so choose. Of course, if I tick somebody off he might exclude me from his personal or business circles, because he also has the right to not speak to me, and if I publish lies about him, he can sue me for libel, as that is fraud.
The Sixth Amendment says, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right* to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury …” No man or woman should be imprisoned without being properly accused of a crime and receiving a speedy trial to determine the accuracy of the charges. I don’t care if he is from another country, under the jurisdiction of the military or any other arbitraries used by people to justify inhumane treatment.
I want to live in an America that puts restrictions on the federal government, not on individuals, and that isn’t run by a handful of rich and powerful people who control what we see, what we eat, and punish us for what we think.
I want America to be a friend to all nations, encouraging talks and reasoning, not war and bloodshed.
The American Revolution has never been completed. And due to the influences and somewhat hidden interference from Europe throughout our history and the sympathizers among us who have furthered those ends, we have almost totally lost it.
The American Revolution was the idea that the individual was supreme and not just a slave, and was entitled to Life, Liberty the Pursuit of Happiness and property. The idea that the government that governed least governed best. It was an escape for the souls of men to be free and remove the shackles of slavery that had plagued homo sapiens (modern humans) for the thousands of years they had been on Earth.
We can strengthen this liberty by working together against those who would take it away. But we have to work together.