November 1, 2007
by Clay Barham

Tom Paine wrote a pamphlet in 1775 entitled "Common Sense."  Ordered read to colonial soldiers by their commander, George Washington, it helped unite and inspire those who fought the British in the rebellion then gathering momentum.  It began, "Some writers have confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins."  He went on to say, "Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one."

Paine went on, "Let us suppose a small number of persons settled in some sequestered part of the earth, unconnected with the rest; they will then represent the first peopling of any country, or of the world.  In this state of natural liberty, society will be their first thought.

A thousand motives will excite them thereto; the strength of one man is so unequal to his wants, and his mind so unfitted for perpetual solitude, that he is soon obliged to seek assistance and relief of another, who in turn requires the same."  He described the birth of America and of a free market, which can only exist when individuals, not government, are free to decide needs and wants.

He went on, "There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of a monarchy (elite rulers); it first excludes a man (or woman) from the means of information, yet empowers him (or her) to act in cases where the highest judgment is required.  The state of a king (the ruler) shuts him (or her) from the world, yet the business of a king (a ruler) requires him (or her) to know it thoroughly."  This implies the ruler, perhaps being born into the role, is making decisions while learning on the job.

In this era, In America, politicians are trying to convince us Paine was wrong. Government, in any state, according to them, is a blessing.  Further, they say the origins of society, or community, and government are one in the same.  If one were to graph it, it would appear like a pyramid, with government at the top and people, the community, sliding down to the bottom, the greatest number resting there. 

This is the way all society and government looked in the past and in the current Old World.  The people are on the bottom and the politicians have elevated themselves, with our permission, to the top.  It is like the game children played, called king of the hill.  In America, the pyramid would be inverted if at all appropriate.

Paine also pointed out the hypocrisy involved in hereditary rulers.  He said, "There is another and greater distinction which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is the distinction of men into kings and subjects. 

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"Male and female are the distinctions of nature, good and bad the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth inquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or of misery to man kind." 

Here he states one of the most important reasons for the subjugation of government to the will of the people, by democratic means, that no person or politician is greater and more distinguished than ordinary citizens are. "As the exalting one man (or woman) so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature."

He said, "No man (or woman) at first could possess any other public honors than were bestowed upon him (or her), so the givers of these honors could have no power to give away the right of posterity, and..that (their) children and (their) children's children shall reign over ours forever." 

The idea that Americans today, can elect an elite to be president, and that man or woman can rule and pass his or her "crown" to his or her children may seem a stretch today, but, with the power to rule comes the ability and impulse to keep that power and pass it down.

America is at a serious crossroads today.  Americans have lost sight of their origins and have looked at individual freedom as an extremist position soon to pass.  They have grown in appreciation and idolatry of individuals who are held up as fashion-setters and leaders who can and should rule. 

The mainstream press and television, as well as Hollywood, in their movies and performers, openly support potential rulers of America.  Once they are elected, and gain control over the powers of government, they may not be willing to give it back and liberty will be lost.  Is this what Americans really want today? Have they lost their common sense to acquire a communal sense?

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Clay Barham [send him email] has been a candidate for the California legislature and a stand-in talk show host for ABC.  He was educated in physical and behavioral sciences, with a Ph.D. in sociology.  He is the author of five books, with his latest being Foundations of Modern American Conservatism and Liberalism: The Roots of Freedom and Tyranny.  Visit his website at http://www.claysamerica.com.