thoughts about the declaration of independence

[huntersluck]

I started thinking about how those people who signed the declaration of independence did it knowing that they might be killed and/or lose everything they had. I wonder how many people now days would risk everything for freedom , especially in this generation of young people. The movie open range has a line where Costner says some things gnaw at a man worse than dying and that is how I feel but I think that has been lost for the most part in our society.

 

[Ruger#3]

They were men of principle with strong beliefs that were rooted in faith. Liberty was not a concept it was a way of life. Service to a people, service to something greater than one’s self was important to them.

Isaiah 6 : 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, “Here am I, Send me!”

 

[transfixer]

I have thought many times over the last couple years especially, that if those who fought against the British and started this once great country of ours,, were like the people we now have in our Modern society ? we'd all still be British, and eating tea and crumpets,,, most people today have no integrity, no guts,, no cajones, and are afraid of everything !

 

[dwhee87]

It is hard to imagine how they were able to craft a document, knowing full well that society would evolve, that carried as much meaning today as it did the day they signed it.

Some of the wisest men to ever walk this earth.

 

[livinoutdoors]

It was an idea born of a different time. When people were ready to trade everything they had for just a chance at living in freedom. When this was a frontier country it attracted people that were willing to go without to make a future for themselves. The type of people that would load all their belongings on a wagon and head out to somewhere they had never been. Those people lived much harder lives and it made them able by default. Now here we are with our large homes, air conditioning, cars to drive, large stores with endless food on the shelves. The vast majority are not going to up and walk away from that, for a small chance at freedom.

 

[bullgator]

Different times for sure. All they had to focus on was their freedom.
If they were distracted by their favorite sports teams, quartz countertops, F250s, KUIU camo, 4K tv, and the internet, ……..I’m certain they would have chosen temporary comfort over an uncomfortable decision to stand and fight. We’re soft but comfortable now.

 

[GeorgiaBob]

The signers of the Declaration were all wealthy, successful men. They were not all the richest in the colonies, but absolutely not the poorest. They had a lot to lose and many reasons to stay out of this fight. Every signer had a family, a home, and business(es) that were put at risk when they put their imprimatur on the vellum.

Every signator of the Declaration of Independence lost something in the ensuing war. Seventeen served in the war. Five of those were captured by the British. Nine lost their lives. Twelve had their homes burned after their property was looted. Two lost sons who fought the British. Several were bankrupted as a result of the war and some of those died destitute. Although all of the signers served the colonies, and the new nation, during and after the war, none were able to fully recover during their lifetimes. Even Thomas Jefferson lamented, just a year before his death, that his beloved home and resources had still not fully recovered from the war.

I think it good to remember that the people who set us on the path, put everything on the line, paid a terrible price, and continued to serve this grand experiment. We may face the same decisions they did.

 

[transfixer]

Different times for sure. All they had to focus on was their freedom.
If they were distracted by their favorite sports teams, quartz countertops, F250s, KUIU camo, 4K tv, and the internet, ……..I’m certain they would have chosen temporary comfort over an uncomfortable decision to stand and fight. We’re soft but comfortable now.

yeah, but if people don't get their heads out of their tv's and start paying attention, there will come a time where things are no longer comfortable

 

[huntersluck]

yeah, but if people don't get their heads out of their tv's and start paying attention, there will come a time where things are no longer comfortable

and speaking chinese

 

[Artfuldodger]

How did the Declaration of Independence evolve into the creed of individual equality? Wasn't it as Patrick Henry said more about being under the price of chains and slavery of the British?

I mean I can see it in a broader sense but I thought it was more about one country wanting to be free from the other country.

I would think after this freedom from the chains and slavery happened, our individual freedom came from the Constitution in 1787.
Seems like we should celebrate the Fourth of July for gaining the release of the chains and slavery of British rule and then celebrate our individual freedoms when the Constitution was written in 1787.

Maybe they are so intertwined it's hard to separate the two.

 

[pbradley]

1776: we are signing this document saying that we are committing treason against the crown of one of the most powerful nations on Earth. We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

2022: I wrote a check for a hundred bucks to the Republican who sucked the least.

 

[bullgator]

yeah, but if people don't get their heads out of their tv's and start paying attention, there will come a time where things are no longer comfortable

They know that. That’s why they’ll let us keep some distractions.

 

[oldfella1962]

"that were put at risk when they put their imprimatur on the vellum".

That just sounds PAINFUL whatever it means!

Regardless, it kind of irks me when people say America was founded on slavery and our founding fathers were all slave holders, so their "freedom" talk is hypocritical, etc.
But the truth is some of the colonies (and many individuals) were against slavery and wanted to abolish it from the git-go is we founded our own nation. But they had to compromise to keep the whole shebang from unraveling. No doubt a lot of them knew that slavery would be an issue in the near future but that it would be dealt with eventually, but right then wasn't the time to take this on.

 

[treemanjohn]

They knew for a fact that they were signing their death warrants, but did it any way.

 

[DAVE]

I am not a history expert but I believe living under King George was probably less intrusive on colonist than the Federal bureaucracy headed by appointed bureaucrats running hundreds of Federal Departments and just like King George these bureaucrats have the power to take a citizen's freedom and even their life. One example of a Federal Department that King George would admire is the tyrannical IRS, a department that can seize an Americans property, cash and assets without due process, just like the King. King George would also envy the FBI and their tactics of kicking down doors in the middle of the night, jerking families out of bed at gun point because a political enemy wants to create bad press for them. Or how about a dozen armed EPA and USDA agents storming a business with guns drawn because somebody said they had some illegal wood. Or how about armed Dept. of Education swat team kicking down your door at 3 am with guns drawn and demanding you, your wife and your three children get on the floor because they think your wife lied on federal aid forms. How about having DEA agents with guns drawn kick in your door at 3 am because your neighbor advised them that he "thinks" you may have some kind of illegal drugs. How about a ATF official deciding what kind of weapon you may have. The American Federal Government stopped being "by the people for the people" a long time ago and is now "By the Elites for the Elites". The American revolution was fought by the few not the many. It seems most Americans speak proudly of the revolution like they would have fought but the truth is only a few people did and would resist tyranny while the majority just like today will tolerate it and make excuses for accepting abuse.

 

[Artfuldodger]

I am not a history expert but I believe living under King George was probably less intrusive on colonist than the Federal bureaucracy headed by appointed bureaucrats running hundreds of Federal Departments and just like King George these bureaucrats have the power to take a citizen's freedom and even their life. One example of a Federal Department that King George would admire is the tyrannical IRS, a department that can seize an Americans property, cash and assets without due process, just like the King. King George would also envy the FBI and their tactics of kicking down doors in the middle of the night, jerking families out of bed at gun point because a political enemy wants to create bad press for them. Or how about a dozen armed EPA and USDA agents storming a business with guns drawn because somebody said they had some illegal wood. Or how about armed Dept. of Education swat team kicking down your door at 3 am with guns drawn and demanding you, your wife and your three children get on the floor because they think your wife lied on federal aid forms. How about having DEA agents with guns drawn kick in your door at 3 am because your neighbor advised them that he "thinks" you may have some kind of illegal drugs. How about a ATF official deciding what kind of weapon you may have. The American Federal Government stopped being "by the people for the people" a long time ago and is now "By the Elites for the Elites". The American revolution was fought by the few not the many. It seems most Americans speak proudly of the revolution like they would have fought but the truth is only a few people did and would resist tyranny while the majority just like today will tolerate it and make excuses for accepting abuse.

"only a few people did and would resist tyranny" History has shown that many speak but only a few are riled up by it to actually act. And most of those who speak won't even back those few who act.

 

[Dub]

Different times for sure. All they had to focus on was their freedom.
If they were distracted by their favorite sports teams, quartz countertops, F250s, KUIU camo, 4K tv, and the internet, ……..I’m certain they would have chosen temporary comfort over an uncomfortable decision to stand and fight. We’re soft but comfortable now.

How does the old saying go:


Tough times make tough men.


Tough men make comfortable times.


Comfortable times make weak men.

 

[Dub]

"only a few people did and would resist tyranny" History has shown that many speak but only a few are riled up by it to actually act. And most of those who speak won't even back those few who act.

True.


Some simply opine and bump their gums.

 

[skiff20]

OK enough of the bashing young people. In case you missed it 99% (just a guess) of the people in the military are young people. As are the firefighters, police officers, paramedics and many others. Almost all are willing to put their life in jeopardy to come to your rescue. To you, someone they have never met, have never heard of, no matter if you are rich or poor or some were in between they will come to help you, defend you. So next time you decide to bash young people take a deep breath and think about what you are saying and who you are saying it about. By the way I am 72, a veteran, retired police officer, and was a firefighter for a while.

 

[Pineapple]

I must have missed something, bashing young people? I don't get it. By the way, I am 67 years old, retired military, retired Sheriff's Deputy, and have been in fire fights. I signed that "Blank Check".

Was side tracked because this thread seemed to be about the Declaration of Independence. No?