Thoughts on upcoming Independence Day
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Food for Thought
Judge of Probate Richard Dean
Our nation is going to have a birthday in 14 days. We will be 249 years old. I am looking forward to the celebrations next year on our 250th anniversary as a nation. I hope we have parades all around the country and everyone turns out to celebrate our exceptionalism.
You know I love these United States of America. Although we are a young nation, we have done much to make this world better. I am not saying we are perfect, nor am I inferring we are always right, but we are the best – period.
The parade to honor the 250th anniversary of our U.S. Army was awesome. Our military branches and the men and women who serve deserve our recognition and respect. The U.S. military branches by order of date established are as follows:
- National Guard: Established December 13, 1636
- Army: Established April 14, 1775
- Navy: Established October 13, 1775
- Marine Corp: Established November 10, 1775
- Coast Guard: August 4, 1790
- Air Force: September 18, 1947
- Space Force: December 20, 2019
The order shown above is the initial date of establishment; some had multiple dates of establishment due to unique circumstances. The order above is not the order of precedence used by the Department of Defense. The DoD order of precedence is Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard.
Two hundred fifty years ago on April 19, 1775, the American Revolutionary War began and would lead to the founding of our great United States of America. This marked the first major conflict between the patriots of the 13 colonies and the Kingdom of Great Britian. The battles are known as the battles of Lexington and Concord. In hindsight, maybe the title should have been the Battle of Middlesex County Massachusetts because other towns such as Cambridge, Lincoln and Menotomy were also involved in this first fighting.
The American Revolutionary War started brewing in 1767 when the British Parliament passed a series of Acts introduced by British politician Charles Townsend (1725-1767). These Acts were known in the Colonies as the Townsend Acts. These Acts placed “duties” on the Colonies with the intent to punish them. In addition, these Acts were meant to show the colonies that the British Crown had unlimited authority over them and could do whatever it wished with or to the colonies. Although the funds generated from the Acts were small and insignificant, the Acts of course added to the bureaucracy by establishing a new government office known as the Board of Customs and Commissioners.
There was such an uproar in the Colonies with the Townsend Acts that most, except for the Indemnity Act, were repealed three years later in 1770. The Indemnity Act was established to give huge breaks to the East India shipping company and allow that company a monopoly on selected trade items, one of which was tea. In addition, Townsend’s intent was to unfairly tax the colonies while protecting/avoiding taxes in the homeland.
In Townsend’s mind, the Colonies didn’t build themselves. They owed all their successes to the British Government and therefore the British Government could do whatever it wanted and impose whatever it wished on the colonial citizens.
Charles Townsend had no idea where his actions of retribution would eventually lead and the great impact they would have upon the world. Too bad Townsend didn’t live to see the most significant result of his actions: the establishment of the United States of America.
Townsend, a member of the Whig party, to me appears to be a man who loved the idea of taxing others but figured ways the taxes would not apply to him or his cronies. However, if he were alive today, he would fit in well with our representatives in Washington, D.C. He was elected to parliament at the age of 22 and spent his entire life as a politician. He believed in cronyism. He is remembered for giving one speech called the “champagne speech” in parliament where it is believed he was drunk. Enough of Mr. Townsend, on to the Declaration of Independence.
On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a small committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. Each member on the committee was chosen because of the skills, knowledge, and insight he brought to the table. Then on June 28, 1776, the five delegates; Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Robert Livingston of New York, and Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, presented the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress. Following the committee’s presentation, Congress debated the proposed Declaration of Independence and made adjustments. On July 2, 1776, Congress approved a resolution for Independence. On July 4, 1776, Congress voted to adopt the final version of the Declaration of Independence. July 5-9, 1776, it was printed and distributed to the public.
If any sitting Congress in our recent past had been the sitting Congress of 1776, how do you think they would have overseen the Declaration of Independence? My guess is they would have established multiple committees to review it. Debate would have taken forever, and someone would have filibustered. Many would attempt to make money off the declaration in some shape, form, or fashion – maybe campaign contributions. Some would want to delay the announcement so they could adjust their stocks by buying or selling, as necessary. Some representatives would take to the media to make all forms of allegations against the Declaration of Independence.
There would be claims the declaration was misogynistic, fascist, racists, etc. Some would push governors, unions, and others to file lawsuits to slow the legislation or block implementation. Others would refuse to vote for it unless it was printed in ink or on paper from their districts. Some would attempt to add provisions that funded shrimp on a treadmill or something equally ridiculous. Others would scream it was an affront to democracy. Others would insist that it had to be delivered to England by an electric ship. Some would call for “mostly peaceful” rioting in the streets and looting of businesses in protest. A few would lie about their military service record just because they couldn’t help themselves. Some would argue the Declaration of Independence was being pushed by the gun manufacturers. And of course, we would have many of them telling stories about remembering the somber words of their fathers or mothers with tears in their eyes warning them of the day this would happen.
As I look around our country today, I wonder what our ancestors would have to say about our current political situation. It was never intended for U.S. politicians to make a life of politics as Mr. Townsend did. Possibly because of Mr. Townsend, their intent was for politicians to serve a few terms and go home.
With all that said, and with all the stuff we see happening; I still thank God I am an American! I hope everyone has a happy and safe Independence Day. God bless you, and GOD BLESS AMERICA!
