Let's Declare our Independence

image from the History Channel
July the 4th approaches. Today July 2, the Lee Resolution was voted on and adopted by the Second Continental Congress which officially and finally severed our ties from Great Britain, and we declared our Independence. As individuals and families around our community, state, and country gather to ponder the events of this July American Triduum, commemorating events more than 200 years ago it befalls upon us - especially we South Carolinians - to turn once again to that hallowed document and the charges it sets out for us, descendants of those worthies and realize that

Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That 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, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

We must, as our fore bearers, be embolden to throw off the yoke of bad governance. For too long we've suffered under a form of Government that has forgotten it's obligations to our safety and happiness, has ensconced itself in it's own self preservation and promotion as opposed to the preservation and promotion of the individual and corporate welfare of the people.

But how do we do this, how do we individually stand up for ourselves when we are complacent in our own chains of servitude to a broken system that doesn't advance the name of South Carolina, but holds it back in the throws of demagoguery and dereliction, where we reside in a sea of confusion.

The current constitution provides remedy for itself by allowing for a more peaceable way to rectify our mistakes, it calls for a constitutional convention.

Whenever two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly shall think it necessary to call a Convention to revise, amend or change this Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote for or against a Convention at the next election for Representatives; and if a majority of all the electors voting at said election shall have voted for a Convention, the General Assembly shall, at its next session, provide by law for calling the same; and such Convention shall consist of a number of members equal to that of the most numerous branch of the General Assembly.

So how to get the attention of the elected officials in the general assembly and force their hand? To attempt individually would most likely met out only failure. Let us once again remember the efforts of those who went before us and take their example by offering up ourselves together in a way that is equally as honourable and tangible -- signing our names. Please take the time to consider and sign the following petition. Remember what Ben Franklin said "...we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."

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