Why Seek Independence

To create a new national country or a new national identity, the people must first gain independence from the old national identity. Such a movement, however, is not a simple task to achieve. As Thomas Jefferson asserted in the Declaration of Independence:

“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes” (Declaration of Independence, 1776).

Therefore, to persuade the people to rise up and fight for independence, especially when such independence will enflame the fury of a tyrannical king whose army and navy are in the process of slaughtering and conquering the entire world, one must present a persuasive argument to the people that such a move is neither “light” nor “transient” but, instead, well worth the life and limb that the Patriots of America must pay for such independence. Thomas Paine presented such a compelling argument.

Shortly before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Paine offered the American People “simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” (Common Sense, ¶ 55). He argued that America should abandon hope to reconcile with Britain and, instead, become a new nation with a completely new national identity (Common Sense- Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs, 1775-1776). One of those compelling reasons lies in the fact that as an independent nation, America might never go to war with France or Spain:

“France and Spain never were, nor perhaps ever will be, our enemies as Americans, but as our being the subjects of Great Britain” (Common Sense, ¶ 64).

Likewise, Americans should seek independence from any government that squanders the lives and limbs of its citizens in foreign wars that have no reason nor justification at all. This is true whether that government be the king of England, or the United States federal government.