In 1776 an obscure colonial writer penned a pamphlet in plain common language that spoke to a nation in revolution. That same nation in some respects is not that far removed from those days when viewed during these uncertain times. The author Thomas Paine called his pamphlet “Common Sense” and we too believe that is what we need right now so we have usurped his title for our rendition, please forgive us for that and I do hope that we can in some small way do justice to his great work.
I have read Common Sense numerous times during the five decades of my life, starting back in grade school when learning about our great nation and being taught to be proud, rather than ashamed of being called an American, was still in fashion. During my early years it was not politically incorrect to portray America as the best nation in the world. I do not state that from some sense of superiority, but from the basic fact that I cannot see that there is another country out there which offers mankind in such great abundance the three main premises that founded our nation, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” In no other country that I know of can you became anything you desire if you are willing to work hard at it and spend the effort to make your life better. We at least to date have not in anyway had a government who subjectgated its citizenry with over bearing laws and regulations which hindered an individuals efforts in pursuing our three main national premises, but that seems to be changing exponentially.
As Paine stated in his pamphlet’s introduction 232 years ago…,“Perhaps the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not YET sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a long habit of not thinking a thing WRONG, gives it a superficial appearance of being RIGHT, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom.”
These words ring as true today as they did in 1776, but for a different reason, not because of an intolerant King in England; rather due to a misguided populace who is willing to grant its government supreme power over the lives of its citizens. Security and prosperity which is not earned, but rather doled out from some benevolent government is as intolerable to freedom loving men and women as living under the thumb of a tyrant across an ocean. People are allowing themselves to be seduced by the Sirens song that government is here to make you prosperous and give you all you need; this is not the “Hope” and “Change” a free nation can accept if it desires to remain free.
I hope with help from my fellow author to bring to your attention those things today that threaten our three main national premises. I will strive with God’s guidance to show you the perils of “a long habit of not thinking a thing WRONG!”
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