Map of Democracies
Green-Democracy---Tan-Partial free--Red--Authoritarian
Map of Economic Freedom
Map of Freedom of Press
Two hundred and thirty two years ago today, a document was published in the city of Philadelphia, in the rebellious British American Colonies, that declared the intentions of those present to formally break their union with the British Crown. The author of that document Thomas Jefferson, went on to become the 3rd President of the republic and during his term, set in motion the expansion of the country that ushered in Louisiana Purchase and the United States becoming a continental and eventual world power. Much has been written lately about Jefferson's personal short comings in his relationship with the people he held in bondage. That fact can not be removed from any discussion of his life. However, one must look at the whole of a man's life to measure his worth.
Green-Democracy---Tan-Partial free--Red--Authoritarian
Map of Economic Freedom
Map of Freedom of PressTwo hundred and thirty two years ago today, a document was published in the city of Philadelphia, in the rebellious British American Colonies, that declared the intentions of those present to formally break their union with the British Crown. The author of that document Thomas Jefferson, went on to become the 3rd President of the republic and during his term, set in motion the expansion of the country that ushered in Louisiana Purchase and the United States becoming a continental and eventual world power. Much has been written lately about Jefferson's personal short comings in his relationship with the people he held in bondage. That fact can not be removed from any discussion of his life. However, one must look at the whole of a man's life to measure his worth.
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At the age of 33, Jefferson was tasked with writing the Declaration of Independence , whose introduction to the world we celebrate every July 4th. It is a day once filled with tradition and pomp, that with time has faded to the singular evening fireworks show, a symbol of our martial and bloody birth. Reflection of what this event and the document that spawned it means to both the United States and the World, has been placed in our collective attic, to gather dust, and await for another generation to re-discover.
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In a recent post, stratigist and author, Thomas Barnett defined the United States place in history this way. America's historic role in starting, defending, and spreading the international liberal trade order--arguably the single greatest force for good in human history.
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One only has to look at the maps shown above, and reflect on the number of people who are better off world wide today, compared to a few short decades ago, to understand what Barnett means.
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Our place in history began with the document above, that flowed from the pen of Thomas Jefferson as he defined the natural role of man, as he had come to believe. Some parts of the document were marked out in order to make it more palpable to some of the slave holding states. That part, blamed King George for the vile institution of slavery. Had Jefferson not struck that phrase, the colonies would have divided and most likely the revolution failed. Jefferson's Account describes the reason behind removal of any reference to slavery.
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The clause too, reprobating the enslaving the inhabitants of Africa, was struck out in complaisance to South Carolina and Georgia, who had never attempted to restrain the importation of slaves, and who on the contrary still wished to continue it.
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The Revolution was successful and the United States was born, a republic, not perfect by any means, but an instrument of the people that could be formed and reformed within the confines of United States Constitution. It has taken hundreds of years for the nation to reach the full measure of equality for all. The process is still underway, within the infinite wisdom of the founders, the mechanism for this change is built into the fabric of our nation.
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The lasting legacy that is illustrated in the maps above show what Jefferson Wrought, when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Liberal democracy, economic freedom and freedom of the press are all present in countries who have followed the lead of our founding fathers. As countries become connected to the growing international family of free trade and connected to the free exchange of ideas, democracy follows. We Americans started all the above when one man took up his pen and set to words what became the declaration of a people to affirm their right to free expression and control of their destiny.
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On this day, Happy July 4th before you step outside to do what ever you have planned, take the time to reflect on that warm summer day so many years ago, as our country began what has been called a grand experiment in self government.
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Below are a few posts about the Fourth of July.
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And in closing, two examples of our Nation at it finest.
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