Free Republic

Almost every American knows the traditional story of July Fourth—the soaring idealism of the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress's grim pledge to defy the world's most powerful nation with their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. But what else about revolutionary America might help us feel closer to those founders in their tricornered hats, fancy waistcoats and tight knee-breeches? Those Americans, it turns out, had the highest per capita income in the civilized world of their time. They also paid the lowest taxes—and they were determined to keep it that way. By 1776, the 13 American colonies had...

"General Washington and his troops had been defeated in September, driven from Brooklyn to Manhattan, from Manhattan to New York City, around the Palisades, across New Jersey. They declined from 30,000 troops in September to 2500 Effectives on Christmas Day. Of the 2500, one-third did not have boots. They were wearing burlap bags wrapped around their feet, as they marched; they left a trail of blood. General Washington knew that if he didn't win a victory soon, the entire army would disappear. And so he had to do something desperate. He proposed to cross an icy river, at night, in...

1776 was a watershed year in American History. July 4th, the colonies had declared independence from Britain. And so the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783) continued. By December 1776, prospects of victory seemed remote for the Continental Army. The British had driven General Washington from New York to retreat to Pennsylvania. The annual enlistment of the American soldiers were expiring at the end of the year and funds as well as morale were low. If there was every a need for a Christmas miracle, it was needed in 1776. In this bleak setting on Christmas Day, General Washington made...

Just watched the 1972 movie production of "1776". Personally I thought the movie was VERY entertaining. I'm not much into musicals and I thought for the most part the songs were forgetable. That being said, the acting was top shelf and the story, well, is, inspiring. I'm no historian, but I believe it was reasonably historically accurate. There were points in the movie when I was really moved... and when they signed the document of declaration at the end as the bell tolled, I got a tear in my eye. Please, your thoughts?

On this July 4th, American Independence Day, 2011, late Saturday night, I had come upon this YouTube recording of the Broadway presentation of the musical “1776″. The song, sung by actor Brent Spiner, who did the acting role of John Adams, one of the founding fathers and a member of the Second Continental Congress from Massachusetts, sings wondering if attending the Second Continental Congress was worth putting his life and ideas in danger. As the song progresses on, Mr. Adams realizes that it is all the more worth it when he thinks what the results will be and that an...

We could strike when government over-reaches. If the IRS came after us, an arbitrator would decide. Solidarity!

America's First ChristmasHow we reversed our fortunes in the Revolutionary War Gen. George Washington’s army retreated from New York in ignominy in November 1776. As it moved through New Jersey, Lt. James Monroe, the future president, stood by the road and counted the troops: 3,000 left from an original force of 30,000. In December 1776, the future of America hung on the fate of a bedraggled army barely a step ahead of annihilation. The Americans confronted about two-thirds of the strength of the British army, and half of its navy, not to mention thousands of German mercenaries. Ron Chernow recounts...

In a year where the average citizen is pushing for conservative candidates, this past Tuesday's Republican primary results show just how strong that sentiment is. Established "favorites" Mike Castle in Delaware's Senate race and Rick Lazio in New York's gubernatorial race were trounced by more conservative candidates. The same was true in Wisconsin and the race in New Hampshire. In Delaware, conservative Republican Christine O'Donnell came from a large pre-election cycle deficit to defeat Castle by over 6%. Polls just before the election had here receiving 47% of the vote. When all was said and done, she had gotten 53.1%...

The Tea- Party has finally come to Comanche County. And so I suppose this is my cue to finally get involved. But before I do I would like to address a few things. In the first place its important to recognize that not all of the “founding fathers” were patriots. There was quite a large contingency of men during those formative years that were not in favor of liberty for mankind, nor for low taxation, nor for a limited government. Ben Franklin at one point put fourth the idea of doing away with the states entirely and having a single...

You know…. as I read all the insults and hatred that is directed at both myself and fellow Free Keene contributors, I can’t help but think the vast majority of you making these rude remarks haven’t the slightest clue as to what exactly this blog is about. I think this because I’m fairly sure that if people really knew the logic behind things here that we would be supported, joined, and encouraged. I think this because at one time I vehemently disagreed with Ian Freeman’s (the owner of this website) view of how a society can function without institutionalized violence....

I want to have a sane discussion on Ron Paul and the growing Liberty Movement. Every time I or other freepers bring up we get people telling us Dr. Paul is crazy or we are crazy to support him and other constitutionalist politicians. When I posted a video on the success of the Free State Movement in New Hampshire ppl responded with "your crazy" and hinting the movement had failed. How could ppl say the movement failed when they've had numerous successes? I see liberals and commies such as this weirdo mock us which I would expect but why the...

After the Fed is dead our private property will be better protected from the easy money, scarce money mortgage rip offs that private bankers have used for generations to swindle away the farms, homes, and businesses that we and our ancestors have worked so hard to acquire. With the Fed dead and gone every family will be better able to establish a hearth and home from which family stability, security, and prosperity can grow from generation to generation. With the Fed dead we can use our common money system to begin building new roads to prosperity. When individuals and families...

Ron Paul shows why gov. spending is the worst way to avoid financial crisis. He shows why America needs to end the fed and go back to gold and silver if we want to survive.

It was with trepidation that I went to the National Immigration Summit held in Phoenix, Arizona on July 30 and 31. The summit was organized by national anti-illegal immigration organizations and was scheduled to celebrate the day that Arizona's State Bill 1070 became law. The National Immigration Summit was planned to send a congratulatory message to Arizonans who were finally able to take effective action to protect themselves from a horrendous crime problem tied to illegal immigration. As we all know, SB 1070 has become a cause célèbre in the national media. The new law requires, among other things, that...

Pollsters Doug Schoen and Pat Caddell, both Democrats, took on President Obama in a column in the Wall Street Journal last week, criticizing him for not being true to his campaign promise to unify the country. “Rather than being a unifier,” they say, “Mr. Obama has divided America on the basis of race, class, and partisanship.” They don’t see Republicans as any better. They claim that Republicans have just followed the administration in trying to exploit hot buttons of race and class. “….the Republican leadership has failed to put forth an agenda that is more positive, unifying, and inclusive.” Although...

This video provides shocking details about the future of America's economy. It's a MUST WATCH.

Dr. Ron Paul explains why income tax and the FED are contradictory to individualist freedom. Most freepers disagree w/ Dr. Paul on foreign policy and I do too but this video is worth listening to.

U.S. (ChattahBox) – Be prepared for more annoying copy/paste ‘Vote Ron Paul’ comments on every forum, message board, media site, and news source. Ron Paul has announced that he is official considering a 2012 run for president, CNN reports. The Texas Republican Rep. has run in the past, and he hasn’t gotten far. Though having a small group of extremely loyal supporters, most of which are Independent or Libertarian voters, he is unable to garner enough support for a GOP nomination. As for running on a third party docket, that has never gone well for any politician. It is doubtful...

Judicial activism is pushing America to the breaking point. This week, a federal judge blocked key provisions of Arizona's immigration law, thwarting the will of the people. The decision was ominous and will reverberate for years to come. Judge Susan Bolton, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, is a liberal elitist who believes judicial imperialism trumps democracy. Her ruling states that local police cannot check the immigration status of people arrested or stopped for violations of the law. In her view, that would amount to an abuse of civil liberties and unduly burden the federal immigration system. She also stipulated...