Portland Man

Greg Pak @gregpak.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 14:02 UTC

NO KINGS. That's the bare minimum these days. NO KINGS. NO KINGS. NO KINGS.

6 replies 111 reposts 802 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:14 UTC

We are a self-governing people, dedicated to the freedom, dignity, and equality of all. Let no enemy, foreign or domestic, take that away from us. Enjoy the holiday; as a nation, we've earned and I believe we yet deserve it, and we need it. Bevause we still have work to do, America.

0 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:13 UTC

They created a country that, for all its flaws and missteps, for all its sins and injustices, has led the world for more than two centuries towards inclusiveness, equality, justice and the rule of law. We've been better at those things than nearly anyone else until about the last 50 years.

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:13 UTC

For that, today, we celebrate They didn't cower before a strongman. They didn't back down from what they knew to be right. They needed courage and persistence and eventually some help from an ally.

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:12 UTC

And they won.

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:12 UTC

But for the leaders of the colonies, gathered in Philadelphia that summer, their thresholds had been exceeded, and it was time for the break. The colonies declared independence and steeled themselves for the war against the greatest military power on earth.

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:12 UTC

Even in 1776, there was not consenus about whether the colonists had in fact tried civil, legal, political, and peaceful means of getting their rights *as Englishmen* back enough.

1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:11 UTC

Read the last four grievances against the king relating to his use of police and military force to impose his will on the colonies and to foment unrest and strife. Remember, if you will, how the government responded to civil strife in 2020.

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:10 UTC

"He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries." Lest the rule of law pronounced by independent judges interfere with the pleasure of the King. How does that sound today?

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:09 UTC

The dissolution and prohibition of colonial legislatures, and the overriding of laws created by them. Government by the elite, not of and for the majority. How does that sound today?

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:09 UTC

After that comes a long list of bad things that the British government did to the colonies. Among them that I call out for your attention:

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:09 UTC

Then Jefferson gets truly radical. "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."

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:09 UTC

Returning to the Declaration, Jefferson then underlines that the government holds power by way of the consent of the governed.

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:08 UTC

Nevertheless, these people are avatars for using the government to enhance liberty. You know who we do not celebrate as we look back in history? People who cut our taxes. No one cares about marginal tax rates forty years ago. Cutting taxes isn't heroic.

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:07 UTC

None of these people were perfect. None of these efforts were perfectly successful. None of these changes were accomplished by those heroic figures alone. Far from it.

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:07 UTC

Historically, when people in government have done things that increase individual liberties, we have considered this heroic and praiseworthy. Washington. Lincoln. Roosevelt. King. Ginsburg.

2 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:06 UTC

Next, Jefferson says that government is created to secure these rights for individuals. This is an astounding turn for the eighteenth century, in fact, I think it is astounding today. Let's dwell on that a moment. The purpose of government is to protect our rights as individuals. That's IMPORTANT.

1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:05 UTC

The paragraph that we've all been made to read comes next, and it makes some very noble promises. All men are created equal. All men are endowed with inalienable rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:04 UTC

I don't mean to read a summary of it. I don't mean read the preamble to it. I mean, read the entire thing. It'll take you about ten minutes. Here it is:

www.archives.gov/founding-doc...

2 replies 0 reposts 0 likes

Portland Man @erikgunderson.bsky.social [ View ] Jul 04, 2024 at 17:04 UTC

Every year on the 4th of July, I urge people to actually read the Declaration of Independence. I make that same suggestion today.

1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes