What Happened to Independence from Tyranny?

Gaye Levy

Independence Day in the United States is a day that is commonly known as the 4th of July. Officially, it is a day to celebrate our declaration of independence from Great Britain in the year 1776. Sadly, for many it is just a day off of work to spend with family and friends, celebrating summer, hot dogs, ice cream and beer.

For the last two years, I have written about this day and, to be honest, there is not much that is new that can be added to what I have previously said. Rather than start over, today I bring back an article from July 4, 2012. Everything I said still applies, perhaps ten-fold.

A Prepper's Nod to Independence Day and the Revolution of Thought

Declaration 2.0: A Fresh Start for America

Susan Boskey

Declaration 2.0, July 4, 2013, is an idea whose time has come. It addresses many of today’s grievances held by the American people and, as such, echoes the original July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence from the British monarchy.

Declaration 2.0 only changes original phrasing when necessary to make specific grievances relevant to today and uses the original format and capitalization style. It is a declaration to free Americans from the statutory-law U.S. Government that has “become destructive,” no longer “deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

The phrase “free inhabitant(s)” refers to how early Americans were identified in the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the country’s first constitution, ratified 1781 by 13 states.

The bold assertions made in Declaration 2.0 are based on deep research for the book, Beyond the National Myth: waking up in the land of the free. The hope is that someone or an organization will take it upon themselves to begin the process of gathering millions of signatures. There is no fixing what we already have. America and her people need a fresh start.

How the Declaration of Independence got Hijacked

Susan Boskey

This July 4th Americans celebrate their 237th Independence Day. The Declaration of Independence, signed during the midst of the American Revolution in 1776, was not just a statement of grievances against the British monarchy but also a declaration of freedom from it, citing unalienable rights of self-governance. I said un-alienable, not in-alienable rights. Most believe there is no real difference between the two words. But not so fast. When unalienable was replaced with inalienable it diminished the original intention of personal rights; among which are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

The Declaration of Independence begins with the reason for the colonists’ separation from the Monarchy; a separation stated to be entitled by “the Laws of Nature and nature’s God.” (Capitalization and lack of capitalization is original.) It continues:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, 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…

In spite of the fact at the time of the Declaration unalienable rights were considered to be for white men only, the word, unalienable, refers to rights inherent to all humans, no matter gender or race. I find it interesting how the word unalienable is rarely used anymore and that modern versions of the Declaration now use the word inalienable. Even President Obama uses the word inalienable. What’s up with that?

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Believe in the American Dream!

Here's a blast from the past.

A declaration is an affirmation. Independence means self-government. They could have called The Declaration of Independence, The Affirmation of Self-Government! Aha! The Founders were libertarian.

Abraham Lincoln noted, "Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors. "

Priebus says that the libertarian philosophy is "almost a non-factor" today. Republocrats AKA the oligarchy seeks to destroy our united spirit for self-government and have openly grown an authoritarian dictatorship in the land of the free. They blow hot air through their megaphones' corporate media.

Just because a dream has not been fully realized is no reason to abandon it. I want to declare, like Mark Twain, that reports of the libertarian philosophy's recent demise have been greatly over exaggerated! Perhaps you thought Uncle Sam was a benevolent spirit, well true patriots tell it like it is! He began ravishing Lady Liberty early on and continues to get away with it!! Uncle Sam, that money hungry beast, has fought against the Dream from square one. 

A Prepper's Nod to Independence Day and the Revolution of Thought

Gaye Levy, Contributor
Activist Post

A year ago I wrote about Independence Day in America. You know – the day that we commonly call the 4th of July.

Sadly, when it comes to liberty, freedom, and the elimination of tyranny, not much has changed in the twelve months since I wrote that article.

If anything, we have seen a continuance of the insidious assault on our rights and on our ability to embrace the tenants of free choice and free speech.

As I go back and read the Declaration of Independence, it strikes me that this statement, this edict of the people, was truly a revolution of thought. It was a declaration of universal rights for all and, further, it defined the government as the gate-keeper for ensuring that those rights are protected. Yes, the government was defined as the gate-keeper and protector with its rights being granted by the people and for the people.
But now, instead of being gate-keeper and protector, our government, in my opinion, has become the warden and the jailer, intent on keeping our citizens under control, without choice, without guardianship and certainly without representation when it comes to taxes. As Lincoln said in 1863:

Our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Today, in 2012, I look back at these words and scratch my head in confusion. How could we have strayed so far from this universal truth?
A Prepper’s View of Independence and the 4th of July

The universal truth of the words that I expressed a year ago has not changed. So rather that fluff up something new, I would like to once again share this prepper’s view of Independence Day and the 4th of July.

For many, the 4th of July has traditionally marked the true beginning of summer, often celebrated with family barbeques, lots of beer, a parade and of course, fireworks. Somewhere along the way – at least for many – the true meaning of the 4th of July has been lost.

Is it any surprise that very few refer to the”4th” – as it is commonly called – as Independence Day? Nope. Not really. But let me begin at the beginning.

The Story Behind Independence Day
Back in the years leading up to 1776, the colonists were feeling the crunch of Great Britain telling them what to do and when, and charging them for the privilege through excessive taxation. People started getting P.O.’d and decided they were sick and tired of the status quo.

 So, in a nutshell, they decided to tell the King to take a hike. They wanted to become their own independent country, free from the tyranny that had plagued them for years.

The Congress met and appointed a committee to write a formal document that would tell Great Britain that the Americans had decided to govern themselves. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft and the rest is history. Independence was declared on July 2, 1776 and official Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.

Over the years, The Declaration of Independence has become more than just a piece of paper. In addition to being a symbol of our country’s independence, it has become the blueprint to the philosophy of American government. Or has it?

The preamble of the Declaration of Independence says:

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that theyare endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Independence – Really?

I believe the goals of our founding fathers were mostly met. Great Britain went away and the United States of America prospered and grew to become the most powerful country in the world. But somewhere along the line, the goal of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness became clouded and mired down by politics, special interests, super egos and the tyranny of taxation without true representation.

Much like the colonists, today the people are being told what to do, how to do it, and charged handsomely for this so-called governance. What happened to “governments deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”? In my opinion, the writing is on the wall, and like those colonists of many years ago, the people of today are poised to say, quite simply, no more.

Enter the Prepper Mentality: A Personal Independence Day
Late last year, I made it my personal mission to become independent and to take care of the needs of myself and my little family without being reliant on others. This is being done by creating my own, reasonable rules for living a satisfying and sustainable life in spite of our government. Or, more succinctly, without government help, and without government intervention.

Do I pay taxes? You bet, and probably more than I should have to pay. But at the same time, I strive to isolate myself from government tyranny.

Fanatical and obsessed? I think not. The preparedness lifestyle that I have adopted has been embraced part and parcel with normal, daily life. What does that mean? Some extra food here, some alternate fuel sources there.  

Learning self-defense and learning to live with less stuff. And perhaps most important, putting a high value on recreation, having fun and sharing a meaningful relationship. These are the basic tenants of my life as a prepper.

In my view, this is not much different than the life, liberty, and the pursuit ofhappiness described by our founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence oh so many years ago.

The Final Word
Today, on the 4th of July, I will celebrate my own Personal Independence Day. How about you? What are your priorities for independence and how will you celebrate? Please leave your comments below . . . .

Read other articles by Gaye Levy here.

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

Gaye Levy, the SurvivalWoman, grew up and attended school in the Greater Seattle area. After spending many years as an executive in the software industry, she started a specialized accounting practice offering contract CFO work to emerging high tech and service industries. She has now abandoned city life and moved to a serenely beautiful rural area on an island in NW Washington State. She lives and teaches the principles of a sustainable, self-reliant and stylish lifestyle through emergency preparation and disaster planning through her website at BackdoorSurvival.com. SurvivalWoman speaks her mind and delivers her message with optimism and grace, regardless of mayhem swirling around us.

Independence Day -- Yeah Right!!!

It’s Independence Day in America—that day where we fly our flags, picnic with our loved ones, marvel at fireworks, and celebrate our freedom. But do we really have anything to celebrate? Let’s find out.

Dees Illustration

Milo Nickels
Activist Post


The Merriam-Webster dictionary online defines independence as:

the quality or state of being independent

This definition isn’t all that helpful without defining the word independent. Once again we return to the Merriam-Webster dictionary online and find these definitions for the word independent:

a. “not subject to control by others” 

b. 2) “not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct” 

c. “not requiring or relying on others”

Therefore, a complete definition of the word independence would be:

the quality or state of not being subject to the control of others, not looking to others for guidance in conduct, and not relying on others.

Now ask yourself, according to this definition, are you independent?

2011 Independence Day: Declare “emperor's no clothes” facts of US tyranny

image source

Carl Herman, Contributing Writer
Activist Post

America was declared when enough citizens recognized the gap between their promised Constitutional Rights and lying government rhetoric. This victory for freedom was only possible when enough Americans discerned and voiced the facts proving their government were lying sacks of spin; a declaration of the obvious “emperor has no clothes” reality.

Here are the damning facts of US government tyranny today. They dwarf the attacks on American liberties in 1776. Each is explained, documented, and proved; with the only missing element for victory being enough citizens’ recognition, voice, and patriotic action:

Activist ALERT: Take Back Independence Day (Video)

Adam Kokesh


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Death of the American Dream

S. Paul Forrest

Activist Post

It is astounding to me the level of xenophobic propelled action taking place in reaction to the development of an Islamic Community Center near Ground Zero.  I have seen numerous postings on Facebook and Self-declared Righteous Politicians touting the immorality of it by using images of the 9-11 attacks as bait for the hate hungry.  When will we start acting like America again?

I remember growing up in a small community where the Pledge of Allegiance was said each morning without fail, and we were vehemently taught that America was the land of opportunity where even the poorest of men (or women) could become whatever they wanted.  As I grew up, I had visions in my head of the Statue of Liberty and that wonderful quote:

                 “”Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
                   With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
                   Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
                   The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
                   Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
                   I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
To me, this quote was more than just an etching on a plaque in a place I would probably never go; it was a message, a beacon that meant all were welcome in this country no matter how poor or downtrodden. This held great significance for me. You see, I was born and raised in a hippie culture to parents who were immigrants.

Some of you probably are envisioning turban-wrapped Arabs or poor Slovenians, Cubans, Haitians paddling or smuggling themselves into this country type of immigrants.  No, they came over from England on the Queen Mary (Third Class, of course)  and established a life in America with great hope and anticipation that, someday, they would enjoy the famous American Dream.

I have watched the news, read the blogs, and participated in Facebook debates on this subject.  I have weighed the positives and negatives on all sides of the issue and still I cannot find rational thought.

Maybe I am an eternal pessimist, but I cannot seem to find where America is in these discussions.

On the Right we have the "Keep America Whole” statements where the argument turns to the Bush Era political paranoia based on the ideal that America is an Elitist State that should benefit only those who are worthy.  Then there is the Liberal side where the poor should get everything and the rich should carry the burden (both views are seriously misguided).  I hear the Christian argument where the Muslim invasion is a sin and we should arm ourselves to the hilt to prevent Jihad.  I also hear the Muslim side which is rarely reported by mainstream media.

Many may not be aware, and FoxNews does not help in this matter by spreading falsities about it, but the average Muslim-American does not support what Al-Qaeda is doing.  They did not support the 9-11 attacks and they do not think America is evil.  If they did, why would they fly flags at their businesses and homes?  Why would they come to this country?  If you answered because they are trying to infiltrate the US, you have much to learn and even more to remember about this Country.

These people are here for the same reasons my parents came here, to live and prosper under the cloak of the greatest country on Earth.  They are entitled to the same benefits we all are.  It is written in the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, 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. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

This is a moving and inspirational piece of writing.  It is the backbone of this, our country, the United States of America.  Who are we today to take that away?  Who are we to stand in protest of a religious institution sacred to an immigrant people at the base of the Statue of Liberty (and not a stone's throw from Philadelphia where the Declaration was written), stripping those people of that American Dream?

Which of you will stand in front of a classroom filled with starry-eyed children who believe that this country stands for all, and opportunity is there for them, one and all, no matter their race, creed or religion, and tell them the American Dream is dead?  Which of you will stand and be so anti-human as to tell these children and those abroad suffering untold tragedy that this country is no longer the beacon of the world?  Which of you wants to do that?

When you stand against a people wanting to take advantage of all this country stands for, you do just that.  You are killing everything that this, My United States of America, is about.  We did not come this far through the struggles of war, slavery, womens' rights, and equal rights just to have a group of xenophobic zealots take it all away.  I believe in this country and it truly breaks my heart to see so many joining the slow march toward the Death of the American Dream.


Related Article:
Glass houses in the Liberty Movement: Sovereignty for me but not for you

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Understanding the Declaration of Independence – 9 Key Concepts Everyone Should Know

Understanding the Declaration of Independence – 9 Key Concepts Everyone Should Know

Understand 9 Key Concepts on Understanding the Declaration. How the Declaration of Independence and Constitution are designed to work together. Freedom, Liberty, Founding Fathers, Bill of RIghts, July 4th, Key principles, American History, Boston Tea Party