Freedom and Fulfillment 2
Chapter 2 - Liberty or Slavery
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In 1775 there were two types of Americans. One group was known as King's Men or Tories. The other group was known as Patriots or Whigs. The King's Men were loyal to the King of England. The Patriots believed in American sovereignty.
The English king and British Empire exercised oppressive control over the American colonies. Specifically, the king maintained economic dominance with oppressive regulations and high taxes. When the Patriots resisted, the Crown attempted to force the population into submission. Since the armed population exceeded the number of enforcers it quickly became clear that gun control measures would be necessary in order to maintain British tyranny. The Patriots correctly surmised that if they lost their firearms, they could easily be deprived of everything else. British attempts to confiscate munitions were primary causes[i] of the first battles of the revolutionary war.
Many are not aware that leading progressive contenders are demanding taxes and controls that far exceed what the Crown was trying to impose in 1775. It's shocking that a majority of early Americans were willing to fight and die rather than submit to what many current Americans are willing to vote away.
Consider these surprising parallels:
● The King's Men supported higher taxes and more government control, similar to most current progressives.
● The Patriots believed in lower taxes and less government control, similar to most current conservatives.
● In 1775 many Americans were experiencing oppression and were willing to fight for freedom.
● Many contemporary Americans are experiencing freedom and are willing to vote for oppression.
One year into the Revolutionary War the Patriots produced and committed themselves to the Declaration of Independence, which brought great clarity to their struggle and helped them win the war. The following parts of that document seem to be relevant to our ongoing political quandary:
"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 … But when a long train of abuses and usurpations ... evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security … [We therefore] solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent … And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." (Declaration of Independence)[ii]
In coming elections, we will have the opportunity to vote with the Patriots perpetuating a government founded on Life, Liberty, Freedom, and the pursuit of Happiness. We will also have the option to support modern-day King's Men who are seeking government control over everyone and everything.
If those seeking more government control end up being in charge, it could result in greater understanding and appreciation for founding fathers like Patrick Henry,[iii] who said: "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Those who hope to perpetuate American liberty and sovereignty need to make wise political choices. It's hard to comprehend that anyone would vote against their own freedom, family, and property by siding with modern-day day King's Men.
© Copyright 2023 Gene Van Shaar
[i] https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2015/08/12/how-the-british-gun-control-program-precipitated-the-american-revolution/
[ii] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Declaration-of-Independence/Text-of-the-Declaration-of-Independence
[iii] https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2020/03/give-me-liberty-or-give-me-death-patrick-henry.html