Seismic Words Yet Reverberating
Upending thousands of years of history, young America declared independence from Great Britain. And that caused a war, and we fought that war, and we won that war.
In One Swift Motion,
Jefferson Drove a Stake
Through the Heart
of the Divine Right of Kings
Declaration of Independence
It starts with a why statement, followed by a section describing governments of a free people. Then comes the “List of Horribles” — the things the King has done that are anathema to a free people. Next, pointing out that the citizens have politely asked for relief; and listing the warnings the citizens have levied. Finally, it says “enough is enough” and “we’re not going to take it anymore.” The kingdom of Great Britain responded, shall we say, harshly.
Constitution & Bill of Rights
After the war, the Founders proposed a Constitution to the thirteen states. They ratified a document with three co-equal branches of government: a U.S. Congress (some good, some bad); an Executive, by election of a President (some good, some bad); and a Judiciary — the Supreme Court plus regional federal courts (some good, some bad). There were ten original Amendments (the Bill of Rights) and seventeen further amendments — also some good and some bad.