Saturday, April 10, 2010
Transdenominational Church
This post is something that I have been thinking about for a while. When I became a Christian back in 2002, it was the cool thing to do. Today it isn't the "cool" thing to do. At a time where Christianity is being attacked, we as Christians are attacking ourselves as well. Look at the fights between denominations. We fight for numbers within the city at the cost of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We care more and more about church numbers, and less about how we can partner with other churches in town. In Ogden, KS we have the Methodist Church, Bible Church, Korean Church, Baptist Church, and the Catholic Church. Within those churches, the Bible and Baptist church used to be one and the same before there was a split. The church is like politics, We campaign to bring more and more people to our building, and not the other churches. "You come to our church and we will feed you pancakes, and give you a free Bible." It should not be that way. We should be a Transdenominational community. Our founding fathers believed in this. They had different traditional beliefs, but their core value was the same. Likewise, we should be teaming up, and growing the Body of Christ. There are things some people can provide, that others may not me able to. If one church has a passion for youth, let them take the lead on the youth ministry, but partner with them. If another church in your community is Military oriented, let that church take the lead, but support them. One church may have a need to help the poor in the community. Give them support. We all share the Basic Ideas. Christ is King. He died for our sins, and without him we would be headed to hell. We are not Lutheran, Methodist, or Baptist. We are Christians, and we need to strengthen the Body of Christ. If we can do this, in a time where being a Christian is not the thing to do, if we can put aside our traditional differences, We will strengthen the body, and we will win people to Christ.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Immigration Reform
Well the next reform we may face is immigration, so here is my view on immigration. When it comes to immigration in the United States the first thing many of us think of is illegal immigration. Therefore that is where I will start. At first my thought was, ok how d I do this without sounding at any way racist, and as I go about it I hope that I can make my opinion known without being thought as one. In 2005 I took a summer job at McDonalds in Wichita, Kansas. Roughly eighty-five percent of the workers there were Mexican. Most of which were related to the manager. To me that is no big deal, you want to make sure your family has a job, and can earn an income, but some of them could not speak English. Being in that situation is tough for me. Most of them did the cleaning jobs, made the fries, or kept the lids and ketchup stocked. One day I was asked to go and clean the restrooms, because the registers were overbooked. So I went and asked one of the workers that normally clean where the supplies were. She just stared, and then said, “I do not speak English.” Therein lays one if my biggest issues with immigration. In my opinion if you are going to work in America you need to know English. Some may use that as saying I have a nativism, or anti-immigrant sentiment, but that is not true. I have a stance against illegal immigration. According to the Latino National Political survey says that sixty percent of Mexican Americans believe United States citizens and residents should speak English. I know the Federal government is leaving it up to the states now after one failed attempt at amending the constitution, but they should have passed it.
I believe that legal immigration is fine, but those who come in here illegally should be deported. If they want to be here that is fine, but do it correctly. We don’t have enough jobs for them. After deporting the illegal’s we should allow them to try and re-enter through legal means, either by work visa, or try for citizenship. Meaning, there should be a few more immigrations allowed that are legal. I agree with John McCain that there should be a fence that shows the border. Not just a chain link fence either. I believe there needs to be a Wall, with Border access points. According to reports the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association alleged that active duty members of the Mexican military were involved in a home invasion on the United States side of the border. After we secure our border, we then need to reform our immigration laws. As an overall view on immigration, even though I think we should allow a few more cross the border from Mexico, I believe our overall view on immigration should be tight. In my opinion we should tighten our borders, and allow less work visas, allowing for a small population decline. Though I don’t want a huge decline in population, a small decline could lead to an increase in per capita wealth in our current economy, which is stagnant.
Overall I am an isolationist, but acknowledge in this day and age that isolationism is unreasonable. I believe we need to control immigration in the united states, and maybe even halt it for a short period of time, until we can get a reasonable resolution to the people who are already here. I know I am strong in saying all the illegal’s should be deported, but even in those cases, There would be wiggle room to allow some to stay, such as those who have a child that is now a United States citizen. However, they must be willing to accept the laws of this country before we allow them to get a visa, and later earn citizenship.
I believe that legal immigration is fine, but those who come in here illegally should be deported. If they want to be here that is fine, but do it correctly. We don’t have enough jobs for them. After deporting the illegal’s we should allow them to try and re-enter through legal means, either by work visa, or try for citizenship. Meaning, there should be a few more immigrations allowed that are legal. I agree with John McCain that there should be a fence that shows the border. Not just a chain link fence either. I believe there needs to be a Wall, with Border access points. According to reports the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association alleged that active duty members of the Mexican military were involved in a home invasion on the United States side of the border. After we secure our border, we then need to reform our immigration laws. As an overall view on immigration, even though I think we should allow a few more cross the border from Mexico, I believe our overall view on immigration should be tight. In my opinion we should tighten our borders, and allow less work visas, allowing for a small population decline. Though I don’t want a huge decline in population, a small decline could lead to an increase in per capita wealth in our current economy, which is stagnant.
Overall I am an isolationist, but acknowledge in this day and age that isolationism is unreasonable. I believe we need to control immigration in the united states, and maybe even halt it for a short period of time, until we can get a reasonable resolution to the people who are already here. I know I am strong in saying all the illegal’s should be deported, but even in those cases, There would be wiggle room to allow some to stay, such as those who have a child that is now a United States citizen. However, they must be willing to accept the laws of this country before we allow them to get a visa, and later earn citizenship.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Don't ask Don't Tell
I have been thinking about this for a long time. The issue is whether or not gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military. As someone who plans to be a military chaplain, the issue has been on my mind. One, do I believe homosexuality is wrong? Yes. Do I believe in homosexual marriage? No. I do believe in rights for homosexuals. They are after all human beings. The marriage thing to me is defined as between a man and a woman. That is my view. But the question that comes up more and more for me is would I be willing to serve with gays? I might be in the minority when it comes to people who are Conservative Christians, but my answer is yes. I don't have to agree with their stance, and they do not have to agree with mine. I believe homosexuality is a sin, but at the same time all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I do not believe that one sin is much worse than any other. But one thing is for sure, and that is this is a volunteer military service. These men and women still are willing to give their all for this country and that should be allowed. However, that may not be able to happen right away. We have to be careful with how to ok homosexuals in the military. You cannot go, "don't ask, don't tell is repealed." because there are many who will not serve openly with homosexuals. There are many that do not want homosexuals on base housing. They feel as if it is too controversial. I can see their points, but at the same time even though we may disagree with them, and their practice they still are willing to sacrifice their lives so others may have freedoms to disagree. Military personnel already do not get the recognition they deserve. Why do they have to hide their faces?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Time for a call to arms
Yes, It is time for a revolution. It is time to go back to what our founding fathers wanted. We need to revolt against this government. It is time to go to war. But this war is different. The government has already been exposed. We can take this government back, and our ammunition is not bullets, but a ballot. It starts with the November elections. If it was me, I would vote every single member out of Congress. But that is not going to happen. However, we need to make sure the people that we do vote in actually need to care about us. They need to care about the Constitution, and they need to fight for liberty. I don't care if it is a Republican or a Democrat as long as they care about us. If we do that we will win a major battle, but after that we need to continue to win this war on tyranny. It won't end in 2012 either. This has been brewing for many years, and winning the war will take just as long, if not longer. We cannot continue to go in the direction that we are going. Help defend the Constitution, Help change our government.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Voluntary Tax? The future of Health Care
The health care reform bill to be signed Tuesday by President Obama would give the IRS a new mandate to enforce some of the initiative's key provisions -- but apparently not the means to do so.
Under the Senate bill approved Sunday by the House, the Internal Revenue Service would be called on to ensure Americans are obtaining health care insurance and businesses are offering it, or else they could face fines. Individuals initially face fines of up to $750 for not buying in; businesses would face fines of up to $3,000.
It will cost the IRS $5 billion to $10 billion over 10 years to handle the new workload, according to a March 11 estimate by the Congressional Budget Office. But the Senate bill doesn’t provide any funding for the expansion of the IRS, and it virtually ties the hands of the IRS to collect fees on individuals and businesses who don’t buy health insurance. There will be no interest, or civil and criminal penalties if it is not paid on time. Which pretty much means if we do not pay it the only way they can take it is through our refund checks. According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation, "People who aren't due any refunds or federal benefits will apparently face no collection action, as the IRS's hands will be effectively tied and it will be a truly voluntary tax." I think this is something that may end up being overlooked by congress, and if this is the case, then they just spent $940,000,000,000 on nothing, because it effectively kills any chance of Insurance companies of making money if they cannot get the healthy people to buy into the insurance and they would then have to raise premiums. If they cannot raise those premiums they will go broke, and if that happens there may be no private option in the future. It is like a casino, you can't beat the house all of the time, because if you did there would be no money left. If there is no money there is no Casino. So if people don't buy into insurance, and insurance companies cannot raise their prices, and start to go under, what happens?
Under the Senate bill approved Sunday by the House, the Internal Revenue Service would be called on to ensure Americans are obtaining health care insurance and businesses are offering it, or else they could face fines. Individuals initially face fines of up to $750 for not buying in; businesses would face fines of up to $3,000.
It will cost the IRS $5 billion to $10 billion over 10 years to handle the new workload, according to a March 11 estimate by the Congressional Budget Office. But the Senate bill doesn’t provide any funding for the expansion of the IRS, and it virtually ties the hands of the IRS to collect fees on individuals and businesses who don’t buy health insurance. There will be no interest, or civil and criminal penalties if it is not paid on time. Which pretty much means if we do not pay it the only way they can take it is through our refund checks. According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation, "People who aren't due any refunds or federal benefits will apparently face no collection action, as the IRS's hands will be effectively tied and it will be a truly voluntary tax." I think this is something that may end up being overlooked by congress, and if this is the case, then they just spent $940,000,000,000 on nothing, because it effectively kills any chance of Insurance companies of making money if they cannot get the healthy people to buy into the insurance and they would then have to raise premiums. If they cannot raise those premiums they will go broke, and if that happens there may be no private option in the future. It is like a casino, you can't beat the house all of the time, because if you did there would be no money left. If there is no money there is no Casino. So if people don't buy into insurance, and insurance companies cannot raise their prices, and start to go under, what happens?
Bill Of Rights
As promised the Bill Of Rights.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Have you ever read it?
I am giving space today to the Declaration of Independence. If you have never read it, read it. Next week I am going to put on the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. These documents are very important to the future of our Nation, and I believe that the foundation in which these were written is being taken away from us. These documents are not being taught in most schools today. They are being skimmed over. Yet kids are being taught to pretty much worship President Obama. There is a problem. Read these documents, study them, and pass this on. Have family and friends read it too.
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 harass 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 benefit 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 British 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.
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.The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
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 harass 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 benefit 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 British 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.
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