Where Has Our Independence Gone?

The American Revolution was fought to rid the colonies of tyranny.  In July 1776, the colonists had finally had enough of the Bank of England, a nondemocratic lawmaking process, an out of control debt (from the French & Indian War) for which they were made responsible to pay, and countless laws which slowed free enterprise (Stamp Act, Currency Act, etc.) due to licensing fees and additional taxes.  While the newly independent United States of America did not grant rights to women or minorities, the Constitution was a step in the right direction.

Over the past one hundred years, our nation has gradually reverted back to the tyrannical government our forefathers fought in the 18th century.  Of course, women and minorities have made great strides in civil rights.  However, these rights were granted by a reluctant government and these actions have merely been used to assuage the concerns of the population as a whole.

The United States was silently taken over by the Federal Reserve in 1913.  Despite what the corporate media may say, the Fed is not part of the United States government.  It operates independently and loans money to the federal government at interest.  The Fed operates very similarly to the Bank of England which the colonists fought a war against.  In our history, there have been three central banks attempted and all three have nearly brought the entire nation down.  Andrew Jackson killed the Second Bank of the United States in 1836 and nearly paid for it with his life if not for a faulty design on two handguns carried by a would-be assassin.  Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy also attempted to free the United States government from the clutches of banksters.  We know what happened to them...

One way to determine the extent of our freedom is the power of the word "no."  In recent years, representatives estimated that over 90% of phone calls to their offices were against the bailouts to the banks.  Despite the voice of the people, Congress still voted the bailout through.  Millions of Americans said "no" to the Iraq War.  Yet, the war continues today.  Growing numbers of Americans have issues with the way TSA is handling passengers at airports (and soon to be train and bus stations, maybe even sporting events and malls in the future).  Yet, if you complain there is the risk of missing your flight, being detained or even arrested in some cases.  Do we have the right to say no in America?

Additionally, our nation has sunk to an insurmountable debt due to endless wars, corporate bailouts, and corrupt government practices.  The federal government makes it easy for billion dollar corporations to offshore profits, cut benefits to employees, and receive tax breaks.  This skews the playing field and causes it difficult for smaller companies to compete.

So while we should celebrate our independence today with family and friends, it is also important to reflect on where we are as a nation in 2011.  We are told the millions of Americans who have sacrificed their lives in wartime have done so to protect the liberties and freedoms our founders won for us, but are we really free with a central bank, a nondemocratic government process, crippling debt, intrusive searches at airports, government spying, etc.?  Is this what our brave young men and women fought to protect?