July 4, 2013
Some 237 years ago we made a clean break from the corrupt Old World of Europe. Fifty-six men risked it all to proclaim in the Declaration of Independence that
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.…
That sums it up — the grand total of good government. The rest is history. Freedom prospers. A country of empowered citizens works a whole lot better than a nation of subjects following a dictator.
But the most striking lesson of history is sadly the opposite of America’s July 4, 1776, birth. So much of the world has long lived under political oppression.
In Syria, more than 100,000 have lost their lives. Egypt is enjoying a military coup. People yearning to be free in China, Iran, Russia, and around the world, risk it all, arrest, torture, death, to speak out, to protest, to demand change.
I’m frustrated that there is so little I can do to help them.
And then it occurs to me: the best thing I can do, as an American, is to fight to keep our country all that it should be.
That’s no easy fight. As you well know.
Our governments from Washington, DC, to Hometown, USA, are out of control.
What’s the trouble? Spending. Debt. Government as ATM. Regular attacks on our property rights. The list runs long: Corruption. Arrogance. Nanny-statism. Those relentless assaults on any process of reform — from term limits to voter initiative, referendum and recall.
The philosophy running government for far too long now directly opposes the creed of 1776: The career politicians and the special interests believe in unlimited government, the idea that everything is permissible, anything is affordable (with your money), and nothing is sacred.
Disaster is on the horizon; the storm clouds of several coming catastrophes are dark and visible.
Politicians cannot stop the rain or the rise of the oceans. Though they act as if they can.
But all hope is not lost. I have faith in you. And in Common Sense.
Our political problems are absolutely solvable. But your work and commitment to freedom is ultimately the difference maker.
And I like to think Common Sense helps. By laughing at the sad absurdities. By voicing a little righteous indignation. And by using wit … whenever I can find it.
But mainly Common Sense does its job by connecting the outrages of unaccountable government with the great people all across America who stand up to defend their rights and the rights of their neighbors from politics gone wild.
Common Sense helps bring folks together to put citizens in charge and ensure that government is accountable to the people.
This Common Sense program is run on a shoestring. But even shoestrings cost money. We need to raise $52,000 to cover the program for the remainder of the year and to step up our marketing of the program.
On July 4, 1776, they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
This July 4, 2013, I’m asking you to pledge some of your fortune to help keep Common Sense on the air, online and in your email Inbox — and to help us reach out to new audiences.
A number of readers and listeners have made a monthly pledge of $17.76. That’s a big help. Can you make the same pledge?
Or give a one-time contribution of $176 today? If you can, please consider donating $1,776. Or $10, $25, $100 — whatever amount works for you.
The antidote to government gone wild is simple: Common Sense. Help us keep it coming.
Happy Independence Day!