Tag: 4th of July

A Transcription from the national archives.



IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object 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.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

How often to lawmakers have a chance to be legitimate patriotic heroes?

Last week we talked about the ridiculous new "Patriot Taxes" passed by [ahem..] House Republicans.

By way of a refresher, the supposed conservative caucus passed House Bill 4293, a bill that sponsors would have us believe is designed to open the door for more fireworks here in the state of Michigan.  What sponsors didn't tell you, and were hoping you'd never find out, is that they loaded the bill up with FOUR NEW TAXES on patriotism.

They doubled the sales tax, imposed giant new taxes on businesses selling fireworks, imposed new transfer taxes on "licenses" to sell the fireworks.

And, they included language opening the door for and encouraging local city, township and village governments to impose their own taxes on fireworks without including any limits on the new local taxes whatsoever!

Only 8 of 63 House GOPers voted NO on these new taxes, a shameful showing for even the most milquetoast "Republican" caucus.

You can't make this stuff up, and if you could, who would believe you?  If you aren't already sitting down, you might want to pull up a chair.  This one's absolutely ghastly.  I know, that's fitting, given the season, but the real trick isn't being played on Halloween--it's being played on the 4th of July, patriotism and taxpayers.  What's more, it's being played on each of us by some of our ghoulish comrades, the Republicans.

As a Michigander, you're likely aware that current state law imposes some pretty serious restrictions on the type of fireworks we can purchase.  If it fires out of a bottle, soars through the air, or explodes, its pretty illegal.  Sure, there's a public safety argument, but there's a bigger liberty argument which is why dollars to donuts, if you're a regular reader of this site you're probably also a proponent of more freedom, not less.

It's that truth that makes what House Republicans did last week that much more frightening.  Last week the GOP controlled House of Representatives approved House Bill 4293, a bill that sponsors would have us believe is designed to open the door for more fireworks here in the state of Michigan.  What sponsors don't tell you, and were hoping you'd never find out, is that they loaded the bill up with FOUR NEW TAXES.  FOUR.  NEW TAXES.

Michigan Republicans in the legislature are literally taxing patriotism.

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object 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.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

My guess is so many folks are so excited by the thought of Independence Day, that they cannot keep the fireworks quiet for one more day. (Its still noisy outside)

I feel that way about the upcoming freedom to work law in Michigan.  I could hardly withhold my commentary on the issue and the grass roots effort I was watching develop for the last couple of months.  These folks were doing more than talk about it, they were planning leaves from their secure jobs, and putting their lives on hold for a better state to work and raise a family in.

How could a person ignore THAT?

This weekend, the Michigan Freedom To Work coalition has been collecting a few bucks to help keep the lights on, and maybe do a little educational advertising while the convincing of the last couple fence sitters goes on.  If you can, drop a couple of bucks their way.  Click on the logo and it will take you to the donation page.  All major credit cards accepted.

And have a great Independence day.

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 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.

Indeed.

As the progressives who now lead our nation would take our children's lives through abortion, Our liberty through an unanswerable liability of national debt, and our happiness (property) by removing it from us through use of force and redistributing it in the name of "fairness," we celebrate the courageous call of our forefathers to throw from our backs the yoke of the Tyranny of Kings.

happy independence..

I attended the Northville and Livonia TEA Parties, though I spent the bulk of my time in Norhville.

What an amazing crowd, and when I say AMAZING i mean..... 1,000+ (according to Northville PD I talked to).

Lots of good speakers, music, and good people.

I just can't explain how excited I am when I see how many American's are fed up with the Fed's!

Mike Cox gave a great speech, I got to meet him afterwords and I have to say I am impressed.  I also met Thad McCotter and all I have to say is GOD BLESS that man and the work his does in Congress.

How were the other TEA Parties?