[jeffersondem]

"They were saying that the colonies had a right to be free and independent of England."

. . . and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. Read it again. For the first time.

[rockrr]

They later chose to stop being independent, that USA thing..

Read it again. For the first time.

[gandalftb]

Independent states can do anything they want, we agree.

My point is that the colonies chose to unite and no longer be independent separate states.......the UNITED States of America.

United, not independent of each other.

Texas, for example was an independent, free, separate and sovereign state. They chose to change that status when they chose to join the United States.