Will America Break Up?

[American Patriot]

More amazing... look at the pockets of blue on the borders in the south, Kommiefornia and the North East.

Utter BULLSHIT this guy is still in office.

[vector7]

Think about what it would have looked like without voter fraud.

[American Patriot]

yeah...

a few purple cities....

[Phil Fiord]

Such a telling map. We are still a more tempered conservative country as citizens go.

[American Patriot]

Which tells me, Phil, that if we have to fight the government some day... they won't win without killing a WHOLE lot of us.

[Phil Fiord]

I'd say the media spin fed through the WH would be homegrown insurgency or some such, which would temper the fact citizens would be getting their rights violated and even themselves killed.

[Ryan Ruck]

Parting Company

Walter E. Williams
November 28, 2012

For decades, it has been obvious that there are irreconcilable differences between Americans who want to control the lives of others and those who wish to be left alone. Which is the more peaceful solution: Americans using the brute force of government to beat liberty-minded people into submission or simply parting company? In a marriage, where vows are ignored and broken, divorce is the most peaceful solution. Similarly, our constitutional and human rights have been increasingly violated by a government instituted to protect them. Americans who support constitutional abrogation have no intention of mending their ways.

Since Barack Obama's re-election, hundreds of thousands of petitions for secession have reached the White House. Some people have argued that secession is unconstitutional, but there's absolutely nothing in the Constitution that prohibits it. What stops secession is the prospect of brute force by a mighty federal government, as witnessed by the costly War of 1861. Let's look at the secession issue.

At the 1787 constitutional convention, a proposal was made to allow the federal government to suppress a seceding state. James Madison, the acknowledged father of our Constitution, rejected it, saying: "A Union of the States containing such an ingredient seemed to provide for its own destruction. The use of force against a State would look more like a declaration of war than an infliction of punishment and would probably be considered by the party attacked as a dissolution of all previous compacts by which it might be bound."

On March 2, 1861, after seven states had seceded and two days before Abraham Lincoln's inauguration, Sen. James R. Doolittle of Wisconsin proposed a constitutional amendment that said, "No State or any part thereof, heretofore admitted or hereafter admitted into the Union, shall have the power to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the United States."

Several months earlier, Reps. Daniel E. Sickles of New York, Thomas B. Florence of Pennsylvania and Otis S. Ferry of Connecticut proposed a constitutional amendment to prohibit secession. Here's my no-brainer question: Would there have been any point to offering these amendments if secession were already unconstitutional?

On the eve of the War of 1861, even unionist politicians saw secession as a right of states. Rep. Jacob M. Kunkel of Maryland said, "Any attempt to preserve the Union between the States of this Confederacy by force would be impractical, and destructive of republican liberty."

The Northern Democratic and Republican parties favored allowing the South to secede in peace. Just about every major Northern newspaper editorialized in favor of the South's right to secede. New York Tribune (Feb. 5, 1860): "If tyranny and despotism justified the Revolution of 1776, then we do not see why it would not justify the secession of Five Millions of Southrons from the Federal Union in 1861." Detroit Free Press (Feb. 19, 1861): "An attempt to subjugate the seceded States, even if successful, could produce nothing but evil -- evil unmitigated in character and appalling in content." The New York Times (March 21, 1861): "There is growing sentiment throughout the North in favor of letting the Gulf States go."

There's more evidence seen at the time our Constitution was ratified. The ratification documents of Virginia, New York and Rhode Island explicitly said that they held the right to resume powers delegated, should the federal government become abusive of those powers. The Constitution would have never been ratified if states thought that they could not maintain their sovereignty.

The War of 1861 settled the issue of secession through brute force that cost 600,000 American lives. Americans celebrate Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, but H.L. Mencken correctly evaluated the speech, "It is poetry, not logic; beauty, not sense." Lincoln said that the soldiers sacrificed their lives "to the cause of self-determination -- that government of the people, by the people, for the people should not perish from the earth." Mencken says: "It is difficult to imagine anything more untrue. The Union soldiers in the battle actually fought against self-determination; it was the Confederates who fought for the right of people to govern themselves."

[Ryan Ruck]

Thoughts Aloud: Why Live in a Salad Bowl

November 5, 2012

Let’s think outside the box for a bit. America was once the great melting pot, where immigrants were assimilated so thoroughly, that their second generations grew up as simply Americans, without need of hyphens to describe their nationality. The Progressives have deliberately extinguished the melting pot in favor of a salad bowl. Now they extoll diversity to Balkanize America, intentionally destroying our native culture, and the natives are getting restless over their remarkable successes. It is only a matter of time before an inevitable civil war, between the traditionalists in the countryside, and the Progressives in the cities.

A great deal of effort lately has gone into successfully awakening millions of American Patriots, to the fact that our Constitutional Republic is no longer functioning anything like the way our Founders designed it. While the breathtaking pace with which Obama and his Marxist cohorts are dismantling our once great nation is stunning, the process of subverting our Constitution has been steadily progressing for well over 100 years. The vast majority of Americans still believe the Progressive lie that we live in a democracy, and this ignorance cannot be reversed by the simple expedient of electing a new batch of politicians, much less any hope of returning to the originally intended Republic of our Founders.

It is far too late for that. Now that the tax spenders outnumber the taxpayers, and they have been thoroughly brainwashed to feel entitled to their share of the plunder, any attempt to seriously slash the size and scope of the out-of-control Federal government, would spark another civil war for sure – witness Wisconsin. It may have already begun with the followup ‘Occupy’ movement. While I have no doubt that the well-armed Patriots in the Heartland would ultimately win such a contest, with the helpless pampered Progressives crowed together in their big city ghettos and college towns, what would we have won that is worth the effort and grief? We would just inherit the unsustainable debt, obligations, and whining sheeple; and the vanquished Progressives would just be plotting new ways to subvert our culture, to regain control in the future.

The truth is that there is no compromise possible between Liberty and Tyranny. We have irreconcilable differences with the Progressives, and every attempt to compromise with them, always results in an incremental loss of our Liberty, not to mention our income. Perhaps it is time for a divorce. I am quite prepared to give up considering these anti-American fools to be my fellow countrymen, and the foul rabbit warrens of the big cities they inhabit, as part of my country. City folk dismiss us as unsophisticated rubes in red Flyover Country; why not just dismiss them as supercilious jerks in blue Fly-into Country? What exactly would we lose, if places like NYC, Chicago, SF, Oakland, et al, were no longer within our country?

My generation was taught that America was an exceptional country, because it was more of an idea than a place, where government was of, by, and for the people, not a privileged ruling class. Our forefathers were rugged individualists, who had fled the tyranny of the intertwined ruling elites of Europe, the propertied aristocrats and the established church of state. These hearty pioneers were more than willing to carve a new beginning out of a rugged frontier, for the opportunity to live free of these oppressive rulers, and worship their God in their own way, subservient to no one.

Initially, this arrangement was most agreeable to the European monarchs and nobles. They simultaneously rid themselves of the malcontent riffraff in their midst, and induced them to exploit the resources and develop the New World, where they had recently planted their flag claiming dominion. The church was just happy to be shed of the more troublesome Protestants, who were challenging their monopoly over the collection plate and access to their God. After the Pilgrims first landed at Plymouth Rock, things went reasonably smoothly for a half dozen generations.

By then, there were 13 thriving, largely self-governing, colonies along the Eastern seaboard of North America, with proper cities and industrious citizens, and new pioneers pushing steadily westward. A lot of money was being made in the commerce between Europe and America; but apparently not enough for the Europeans, who tried governing their colonies with a heaver hand than the Colonists had grown accustomed to, and taxing them more than they were willing to pay. The end result was our Revolutionary war, and the birth of 13 new, free, and independent sovereign nations.

They quickly joined a mutual defense and free trade pact with the Articles of Confederation, which they replaced within a decade with the Constitution of the United States of America. Still, it is important to realize that our Founders didn’t create The US out of whole cloth; they merely loosely joined together self-governing political entities, which had already existed for generations. Each had their own laws governing behavior of their citizens, and the Federal government was not given the power to interfere in such matters. Now that there are 50 of them, they still have their own constitutions, laws, and fully functioning governments; and if the USA were to be dissolved tomorrow, they would continue to exist as sovereign nations in their own right, just as England, France, and Germany would not cease to exist if the EU collapses.

Thus the suggestion that the collapse of the Federal government would necessarily result in anarchy across America, is wishful thinking by the Saul Alinsky / Cloward-Piven influenced radicals behind the ‘Occupy’ movement. As usual, their pointless Marxist inspired riots are befouling their own Progressive neighborhoods, and having almost no effect on the lives of those productive citizens they detest, who are just getting on with their lives in the Heartland. Were it not for the rapt attention of the media to their antics, most of us wouldn’t even know about the mindless fools, and their ludicrous urban camping adventure.

I would like to suggest that we grant them what they are asking for, and perhaps even join them in their endeavor to collapse the Federal government. There has been much talk in segments of the Patriot community, regarding the notion of some red States seceding from the overbearing Union once again, in order to re-institute proper Constitutional government. Wouldn’t it be much easier to simply dissolve the Union entirely, and allow everyone start over? The ‘idea’ of America is still there to be had, for all that aspire to return to the halcyon days of our nation’s youth, before the Progressives screwed it up.

Free of the oppressive mandates, regulations, court rulings, debt, and taxes of the erstwhile Federal government, each State would be able to offer capitalists the world over, an environment conducive to moving their production facilities there, to create a thriving economy again. Local natural resources could be easily exploited again, absent absurd EPA regulations, and unemployment would virtually be nil in any State that truly wished it to be so. The truth is, that a breakup of the Federal government would be a godsend to most red States.

Once free of the tyranny of DC, the States would be able to form new federations, perhaps several of them on a regional basis. Red capitalist States could base theirs largely on natural law and the original Constitution, with only the original 10 Amendments. Blue socialist States could base theirs on their Marxist notion of social justice, and draft a new constitution, which enshrines their complacent vision of a nanny-state, comprised of unarmed compliant sheeple. How they fund it is their problem. With Galt’s Gulch just over the border, how they manage to keep enough productive taxpaying citizens from emigrating to a red State, would be a serious issue, which would be amusing to observe play out; but again that is their problem. Eventually some may get a clue and try capitalism, like the Chinese have done.

One of the greatest benefits of a new beginning, would be to once again remove social issues from national politics. The entire library of case law and SCOTUS rulings would go on the ash heap of history. Each State can enact their own laws regarding abortion, marriage, and public schooling for instance. Then, since they are no longer fellow countrymen, the folks of blue States could stop concerning themselves with what goes on in the public square and institutions of red States, and the folks of red States could stop concerning themselves with what goes on behind closed doors and in hospitals in blue States. Since there is absolutely nothing we could do about it, how many of us know or truly care, whether abortion or gay marriage is legal in Mexico or Honduras or Zimbabwe?

Each State would have their own immigration laws and requirements for citizenship. Since the wiser red States will have abandoned all forms of social safety nets, returning charity to the churches and private benevolent societies, any immigrant looking for work is likely to be an asset rather than a drain on a vibrant economy, if they are willing to learn to speak the official language and assimilate into the local culture. Those unwilling to play by the local rules, can be bussed to the border of a blue State, which is still actively promoting diversity and offering social benefits for immigrants.

I suspect most immigrants to red States would be from blue States, willing to abandon security for the animating contest of a productive life well lived, in a land of Liberty and unlimited opportunity. Conversely, the less industrious bleeding hearts caught in a red State, will naturally wish to emigrate to a blue State, where they will feel more at home with like-minded folks. While the former might be problematical for the tax base of the blue States, both would be win-wins for the red States.

Interestingly, since it is a private bank completely outside its control, the Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) would survive a breakup of the Federal government. Since it is currently the reserve currency for the world, and freely used in commerce everywhere, there is nothing stopping its continued use among the 50 States, other than prudence. Any serious red State should immediately begin coining real gold and silver money, and perhaps charter State banks to deal in metal backed currency of the State; but as long as the world kept dealing in FRNs, an equitable exchange rate for local currency could be established and changed as frequently as necessary to keep up with the value the world places on FRNs in trade.

As long as State citizens are not forced to accept FRNs as legal tender, there should be no problem. The wise citizen would borrow and loan in solid metal backed local currency; but could deal in short term commerce in FRNs, if convenient and agreeable to both buyer and seller. In any case, the initial breakup need not be a financial crisis to those with bank accounts and assets denominated in FRNs, with the caveat that it is unknown what the outside world would choose to do with their hordes of them during the initial confusion. If they panicked and started dumping them, they could become pretty worthless fairly quickly, and the price of gold and silver could skyrocket when denominated in FRNs.

There are other considerations of the breakup that are not so easily addressed. Among them is how to divvy up the mobile military assets of the Federal government. Obviously, ownership of the military bases at home, would devolve to the States that contain them; but the naval ships, aircraft, nuclear arsenal, etc. would be a serious question. Another would be all the people currently receiving their entire incomes from SSI, military retirement, etc. directly from the Federal government. Perhaps these two issues could be conflated by having the States and/or new federations purchase the military assets, and place their proceeds in a (real) trust fund to continue these payments for those who earned them.

There will be hundreds more such issues that I have yet to think of; but on the whole this idea strikes me as very reasonable and doable. It would certainly be a better alternative to another civil war, and I think it has merit for serious discussion. The demise of our country is coming sooner or later, and probably sooner, with the coming financial collapse that is now unavoidable. We can do it amicably as adults, with some fore-planning to make it as painless as possible, or we can just hasten the collapse and let the chips fall where they may. I would love to entertain some serious discussion on the merits of this proposal.

[American Patriot]

The War of 1861 settled the issue of secession through brute force that cost 600,000 American lives. Americans celebrate Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, but H.L. Mencken correctly evaluated the speech, "It is poetry, not logic; beauty, not sense." Lincoln said that the soldiers sacrificed their lives "to the cause of self-determination -- that government of the people, by the people, for the people should not perish from the earth." Mencken says: "It is difficult to imagine anything more untrue. The Union soldiers in the battle actually fought against self-determination; it was the Confederates who fought for the right of people to govern themselves."

Amazing, this is obviously a racist black man writing this. lol

Walter Williams isn't known for liking Obama if I recall. lol

[American Patriot]

Yeah which reminds me... has anyone in the White House said ANYTHING about all those petitions? I've heard nothing.

[Ryan Ruck]

No, I've heard nothing either and the whole point is that once they reached certain numbers the WH was supposed to respond to them.

[Phil Fiord]

Well, supposed to with exceptions. They do not have to respond if they deem it not necessary for various reasons.

[American Patriot]

So they think it isn't "necessary" to respond because, perhaps they believe it is illegal?

[Phil Fiord]

Yessir. The admin has the liberty to interpret what they respond to and what they do not respond to. Bear in mind the White House beer recipe had less than the 25k needed and still was responded to, so it is a very subjective to what is going to play well for PR. A beer recipe is all warm, fuzzy and party time. "Hey everyone, tonight we drink the beer of Presidents". As if.

So, as much delight as can be gained by the grand gesture of these petitions, we already know they are to show grievance and the tools for succession do not work by petition. No. Obama will not address this nor will his underlings.

[American Patriot]

well, it's about fucking time to tell the White House and Congress I won't stand for them picking my IRA and mutual funds apart to give to the "mandatory retirement system". They can go fuck themselves.

I WILL march on Washington, ARMED and I will take an army with me.

[Phil Fiord]

The UN will be called in to quell any uprisings. Bear in mind the Fed can and will conscript some US troops as UN peacekeepers thus negating the no army on our own soil issue. If they are charged over to the UN they are not domestic.

[American Patriot]

If they are not domestic, and they fire on Americans they are enemy.

If they ARE domestic and fire on Americans, they are the enemy.

It is very clear in MY oath....

"I do solemly swear to uphold and DEFEND the CONSTITUTION against ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC"

It doesn't say "congress", "the Fed", or "the President". It says "The Constitution".

it also states that "I will obey the orders of the officers appointed over me".

I have "no officers appointed over me". I'm a retired military person, and am a civilian. No one, and I repeat NO ONE directs my actions now except my moral standards and principles.

[Phil Fiord]

One thing I am certain of now is if one is captured and seen as a threat by a corrupted admin, it will be a gitmo scenario for those caught.

[American Patriot]

There won't be any "capture".

Two hundred and thirty six years ago fifty six brave and unwavering patriots signed a document that came to be called the Declaration of Independence. These men publicly declared their commitment to the “self-evident truths” that formed the foundation of our nation and have continued to serve as a beacon of hope for all people around the world who wish to be free. Phil, I don't need to be told what I am saying, or admonished that I could "get into trouble".

I'm fully aware that some will take what I say as a "threat" - it's not meant as a threat, but as a promise. America will NOT FALL to SOCIALISTS ON MY WATCH.

I have NO fortune. But I have honor - and I honor those men that wrote those words in July 1776. I honor their pledge to one-another to pledge their lives, fortune and sacred honor to one and all of the group. I can't help but think that the best way to honor the courage of those men who went before us is for each of us to consider making a similar personal pledge to our fellow Americans, to our Constitution and to our way of life as it was before Obama and his Socialist ways.

The beginning text of the Declaration states CLEARLY that Governments are created BY PEOPLE. They are not created IN SPITE of people. It states that our Rights are unalienable. They are SECURED for us by our creation of the government, not for the government to usurp those rights in any form or fashion. The Declaration states that all of us are created equal. There are those who would have you believe this is not so. There are NO "CLASSES" of people in the United States.

The messages of "middle" and "lower" and "Upper" classes can STAND NO LONGER, the words and phrases, the deeds of those who would force this thinking on us all must be expunged from the vernacular of the country. There are no "upper" and "lower" classes, there are ONLY PEOPLE and we all have the right to our freedoms without INTERFERENCE FROM A TYRANNICAL GOVERNMENT.

We have failed to make clear - whether by reason of apathy on the part of those who voted, to prevent another term for a Socialist President. In fact, numbers indicate that FEWER PEOPLE VOTED FOR Romney than voted for McCain. Fewer people voted for Obama this time than last time around.

This tells me that there has been major tampering with the elections, the counts were lies - and those responsible need to be brought to Justice. But, this isn't going to happen.

Very FEW Americans are like me, and none will open their mouths in protest. I have at risk of my job, my security clearance and my "fortune" such as it is.

I can do but two things.... Go on with life as if nothing happened or do something about it. My inclination is to proceed with my plans for vacating this country forthwith. My heart, my gut - my own MORALS tell me that something has to be done. I don't have the answers and I won't make threats or promises I can't keep. But I will say that I will do SOMETHING. I abhor violence. I have been shot at and shot back. I've been beaten by hoodlums, and I've fought back and beaten them - many times.

The mighty "arm of the government" is something I've been a part of and so have many, many of my family members, relatives and friends and we all know the strength that the government has and can impose on not just us "little people" but even mighty foreign governments as well.

Yet, the Government is remiss in applying that power to Iran, to North Korea and to Russia and China. Can it BE, possibly the government is culpable in the strenghting of Iran, Russia, China, North Korea - and even the Muslim Brotherhood, Hammas and other terrorists? Absolutely. Not the Government as a whole, or at large, but some people IN the government, those with access to the CIA, FBI and other parts of the Department of Homeland Security.

A department that as we speak is being slowly turned against our OWN PEOPLE... namely "domestic spy drones", "internet regulation" and the apparent want and need to Nationalize the very savings of the American Public.

The US Government is IN THE WRONG and this must be SHOWN, unequivocally and without hesitation. EVERY TIME they do something against the betterment of this country, and to force socialism down our throats Americans need to start SCREAMING LOUDLY, PROTESTING and MAKING IT APPARENT there are MORE of US than those who want Socialism to succeed (which it never will ANYWAY).

Socialism has been tried many and multiple times and HAS FAILED EACH TIME at the cost of millions of lives in the form of Communism taking over, in the form of suppression of people who protest, in the form of death camps, in the form of murder, in the "name" of many and sundry dictators.

No Sir.... I won't go peaceably. I wont go without a fight and I'll die for my principles before I will allow Socialism to completely obliterate this country and what is left of it.

It's not relevant that "so many people want socialism" in their lives. They haven't a SAY in this. They don't have an opinion that matters. They are running down the road at breakneck speed to a ruined economy, a ruined America and a ruined nation. Our Children and Grandchildren deserve better than to let these people have their way. It doesn't MATTER if they "outnumber us" (which I strongly doubt) because they DO NOT BELIEVE IN AMERICA. They are UN-AMERICANS who want to destroy the Constitution, to tear it up, to call it a "living document" when it most clearly was never intended to be such.

Non-Americans, Europeans, be they French, or Canadian, British or Russian, or any of the various Arab conglomerations HAVE NO SAY IN THE OPERATION OF AMERICA and I'm tired of it.

Sick to death of these people, illegal aliens and all those who "believe in Socialism" having any further say in the operation of America.

It is TIME to remove these people from Congress, from the House, Senate and from the President's office. It's time to IMPEACH anyone that does not FOLLOW the Constitution completely.

Any rules, laws or "regulations" that can not be directly connected to the Constitution need to be rescinded or repealed immediately.

It's going to take more than me saying this.

It's going to take an organization of a few thousand to wake up the public and get the ball rolling.

If this does not happen within the next year, America is doomed to die and there WILL BE A REVOLUTION, there WILL BE a Civil War and there will be bloodshed. People just don't want to BELIEVE that this can happen here in America, but given the downward and backward slide this country is undergoing it is CLEAR we are headed for a 3rd world status, a "Banana Republic".

This is PRECISELY what Obama wants and means to give to us.

We fight or America dies.

[American Patriot]

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

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.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. 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.