We all know the story - the American colonists were being increasingly ground down by British rule, so they listed their grievances in the Declaration of Independence and finally rebelled against the tyranny. But do you know the full story? Do you know that there was a perfectly reasonable response from the King of England that any true American would agree with? This letter was lost at sea and only recently recovered. Had it been delivered, the rebellion would have stopped before it had started as any truly reasonable person would have abandoned it's cause. Don't believe me? Well read it and decide for yourself:
Dear Colonists,
First and foremost, let me make one thing clear: I am a trader. I earn what I get in trade for what I produce. I ask for nothing more or nothing less than what I earn. That is justice. I don't force anyone to trade with me; I only trade for mutual benefit. Force is the great evil that has no place in a rational world. One may never force another human to act against his/her judgment. If you deny a man's right to Reason, you must also deny your right to your own judgment. Yet you have allowed your world to be run by means of force, by men who claim that fear and joy are equal incentives, but that fear and force are more practical.
And the simple truth is, colonies are my private property. I financed the voyages that secured and developed them. I financed the arms that protect them. They are universally recognized among the free traders of Europe as my personal property, and what do you ask of me? You know that you can't give away everything and starve yourself. You've forced yourselves to live with undeserved, irrational guilt. Is it ever proper to help another man? No, if he demands it as his right or as a duty that you owe him. Yes, if it's your own free choice based on your judgment of the value of that person and his struggle. This country wasn't built by men who sought handouts. In its brilliant youth, this country showed the rest of the world what greatness was possible to Man and what happiness is possible on Earth.
Understand that no greatness can be achieved through theft of another man's work. I choose to live off the merits of my work. To those of you who retain some remnant of dignity and the will to live your lives for yourselves, you have the chance to make the same choice. Examine your values and understand that you must choose one side or the other. Any compromise between good and evil only hurts the good and helps the evil.
If you've understood what I've said, stop supporting your destroyers. Don't accept their philosophy. Your destroyers hold you by means of your endurance, your generosity, your innocence, and your love. Don't exhaust yourself to help build the kind of world that you see around you now. In the name of the best within you, don't sacrifice the world to those who will take away your happiness for it.
The world will change when you are ready to pronounce this oath:
I swear by my Life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man,
nor ask another man to live for the sake of mine.
I pray you see the folly of your ways.
Sincerely,
The Management
PS - Declaration or not, next month's rent is still due!