Is the Declaration Of Independence a message to modern Americans?

[benburch]

Reading the Declaration again today, as I periodically do, it occurs to me that the authors may have had something more in mind than separation from England.

I think they may have intended to give us permission to again overthrow the edifice they were creating. I think it can be read as permission for a second Revolution should the country descend into tyranny as it again has.

Discussion, please?

[Inland]

1. It's one document the government doesn't get to flush.

the Declaration of Independence is the right of the PEOPLE to form a new government.

It's good reading, for the subjects of the Saudis and the Iraqis------and those of us here in the US.

[Finn MacCool]

2. Jefferson said that "The tree of liberty must be refreshed

from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

[aeolian]

4. great minds think alike. :)

good timing. :toast:

[Trajan]

5. Jefferson was occasionally wrong ....

and using this simple clause to justify violent revolution, without considering first non violent alternatives, would be a travesty and rejection of the enlightened ideals that promulgated the declaration.

I'm just saying .....

[aeolian]

6. Why do you assume violence?

I, at least, merely cite Tommy-J as an example of an opinion held by many at the time.

[Trajan]

9. Revolutions are rarely, if ever ....

accomplished without violence ....

The tree of liberty being nourished by the blood of patriots and tyrants ? ...

What blood ? ... where does the blood come from ? ... Department store aisles ? ...

[benburch]

11. And what of the violence of NOT having a Revolution?

Clearly, a Revolution can be accomplished without violence! Look at the fall of the Soviet Union!

But what of the alternative; No Revolution? How many people will die if we continue on our present course?

The evil future you see as a result of Revolution is a Paradise in comparison to what we will suffer under a totalitarian government. It will be "death by a thousand cuts" as the vampiric GOP fascist state kills us one at a time for daring to resist and daring to believe in freedom.

Emiliano Zapata said it best; "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."

[aeolian]

13. ...metaphor?

[benburch]

14. Jefferson meant literally blood.

Let it be mine, if needs be.

[aeolian]

3. Jefferson would have been surprised that it'd lasted even this long.

The DI lists specific greivances -- against King George :tinfoilhat: -- that reflect much broader principals. When government, ANY government, oversteps its bounds, it was (most of) the founding fathers' belief that it should be abolished.

"...Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

They knew the tendancy of those in power to seek ever more. That was what the checks-and-balances system so nobly tried to prevent.

[Trajan]

7. Beware what you ask for ....

You AND your family might just get it ....

Imagine, for a moment: your (or someone elses) grandma, limping on her gimpy leg as she runs across a street strewn with burning car hulks and stinking bodies, trying to dodge the automatic fire, and perhaps the low flying copters (much like what Israel does in the occupied territories): ONLY because she hadnt been able to eat for nearly a week, and has finally reached the point where she is willing to brave the war on her street to alleviate her hunger .....

Revolutions are EXTREMELY dangerous, and could lead to disasterous results for a good many families, including yours .....

The numerous interim steps that COULD be taken BEFORE violence havent yet been attempted ....

Beware what you ask for .... you might not like the consequences ....

[benburch]

12. Well, the only real alternative I can see is an effective general strike.

If you think you have a clue as to how to make that happen, I am all ears.

But voting cannot help us; They control the outcome.

Protest cannot help us; They don't care, and would love an opportunity to turn a peaceful protest into a free-fire zone.

Only an effective general strike can bring this government down "safely".

The less violent alternative is to amass enough military force that one can deliver a credible ultimatum. When that is rejected, as it would be, you are at least ready for the result.

Remember;

"He who makes peaceful revolution (such as voting) impossible, makes violent revolution inevitable."
- John F. Kennedy

[SnoopDog]

8. It is all about our FREEDOM....

Remember, this is OUR country. WE duly elect (someday that will be completely true) our officials to carry out OUR requirements and message.

Since, I would say, the end of WWII, our country is run by the military - or at least they get the majority of our tax dollars.

Can you imagine if we had 50 percent of the military budget since 1960 - to do things for us and our country? We could by now have solar cells on EVERY roof top in America. We could have near pollution free cars getting 100 miles to the gallon. We could have a state of the art country wide transportation system. We could have had our toxic wastes cleaned up and with zero tolerance to corporate polluters.

We could have a massive educated citizenship with schools rated top notch through out the world. We could have health care for all.

What we have today is a group of government officials completely on their own side and on the side of corporations. They rule us today. And it is absolutely not right. The idea of a nation or country is to make the nation the best team possible for all citizens. We as a nation must compete with other nations. And this administration is 'throwing the game'. They are succeeding in DESTROYING us and the country.

So is it time to get a new manager and coach...? Yes, it is time.

[paparush]

10. I have my Sig message plastered...

on the rear window of my 1990 Dakota pickup. I get comments all the time.