General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsYou know we are in trouble when the American people forget this simple truth.
This country was born out of rebellion, not patriotism. Many Americans were against the revolution. Many left and went back to England. Many stayed here and fought against the so called traitors, Washington and his men. Many kept two hats at the ready. One for the British, one for the rebels.
When you see Americans support the punishment, the removal of people in the name of patriotism, they have lost their way. They are Un-American. Remove football players because they will not stand? Are you fucking kidding me?
Washington once said this, it brings me to tears, How do you lead free men. I know exactly what he was talking about. The men who fought for Washington were truly free men. They did not know what an order was. They came to fight, not to take orders, not to march.
Washington learned that if you explained the reasons you had to learn how to march to these free men they would give up their independence for the common good. They would respect you and follow your lead.
I do not believe most Americans today know their history, who they are. The election of Trump is proof.
Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)pazzyanne
(6,518 posts)marylandblue
(12,344 posts)We've been arguing with each other since the beginning. One is open, free and multiethnic. The other is closed, authoritarian and racist.
The Puritans came here to create a theological utopia for themselves only. Others found it so intolerable, they founded Rhode Island and Pennsylvania to find freedom. The first Southern plantations were worked by white indentured servants and black slaves. The whites and blacks worked side by side, but were getting along too well, so wealthy plantation owners used race as a divider to keep poor whites poor, and blacks as slaves. When the nation was born, it was almost ripped apart by slavery, until a compromise to sell out the slaves was made.
I can go on and on. But there have always been these two Americas, and they have always struggled one against the other, sometimes the good side wins, and sometimes the bad side. Right now the bad side is winning. We can change that. But I don't know if we can end the struggle once and for all.
yonder
(9,631 posts)csziggy
(34,119 posts)William Penn's father was owed a lot of money by the British Crown. William Penn, an early Quaker accepted a land grant in return for forgiveness of that debt. Penn marketed land to Quakers and other non-conformist religious people not only in England but across Europe.
Two of my ancestors purchased tracts from Penn's representatives in Ireland in 1682 and at least one arrived in Pennsylvania prior to William Penn's arrival
They_Live
(3,222 posts)and accurate.
maddiemom
(5,106 posts)What a waste of the educational opportunities he had. High school drop-outs of his generation are usually more knowledgeable.
Pepsidog
(6,252 posts)YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)Marcuse
(7,391 posts)BadgerMom
(2,766 posts)I havent forgotten history, but that fact is comforting. If we are successful in ridding ourselves of him, there is a lot of legislative work to do. The rascism has been with us from the start. I think we were so thrilled by Obama that we let down our guard and this is partly the fault of our guard relaxing and partly the work of the American oligarchy ever since the Reagan administration.
luvtheGWN
(1,336 posts)Very few returned to England. Instead, they came to Canada and became known as United Empire Loyalists.
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)Millions from their toil. A touch dramatic for my taste.
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)before they can "forget" them. This nation suffers from an epidemic of determined ignorance. And those afflicted with it are proud to be that way.
Marcuse
(7,391 posts)greymattermom
(5,751 posts)went to Canada.
samnsara
(17,570 posts)...maybe we could start a go fund me page!
Aristus
(66,075 posts)Washington learned that from Baron von Steuben, the Prussian officer who trained the continental soldiers.
As a Prussian, he was used to obeying unconditionally the orders he received from above, and also to issuing orders to his subordinates that he expected would be obeyed without question.
He was a little taken aback by the American soldier who constantly questioned the reasons for his orders. He discovered that such questions were not due to inherently contrary behavior, but out of a genuine desire to know the purpose and intent of the orders. Once he understood his soldiers' mindset, he was able to train them to an exceptional skill level in battle drill.
He passed this information on to Washington, and they both agreed that such a mindset in the troops was of huge value for those fighting for a republic as opposed to a monarchy.
Progressive dog
(6,861 posts)The rebellion was to preserve the rights that had been granted in the charters for the various colonies. It wasn't to steal from the British.
George Washington did not ask for his troops to vote on how the army should fight. They soon learned what an order was because armies can't win battles where the soldiers can take their guns and go home. You cannot have an army without rules that must be followed.
No, many colonists did not leave and return to England. Some of the American aristocracy fled, the tax collectors, the port inspectors, the stamp vendors, the royal appointees of all types fled. A few ships were sufficient to carry them all.
I agree that many Americans do not know their history.