Thomas Paine - the Crisis - 23 December 1776
My generation grew up in the prosperous nineteen fifties, crawling under school desks in air raid drills, watching at distance the bravery of southern civil rights workers, then drafted to serve in the Vietnam war. I escaped that fate because I failed the draft physical due to the elevated blood pressure that would almost fell me with a heart attack at 48.
From Nixon's election in 1968 to now the political right has held the upper hand, mostly via what was referred to as "white backlash". We now see that phenomenon in its most virulent form - a second Trump term. That deploable event has emboldened him and his allies far beyond what a 1% electoral margin should yield. And so we can say with Tom Paine that
These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has the right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,” and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.
Whether the independence of the continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument; my own simple opinion is that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependent state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own; we have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet. All that Howe has been doing for this month past is rather a ravage than a conquest, which the spirit of the Jerseys, a year ago, would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will soon recover. . . KEEP READING
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