Kate’s 2¢: “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine

“Common Sense” by Thomas Paine

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

Who hasn’t heard “These are the times that try men’s souls.”? While “Common Sense” was written in the mid-1770’s, the reasoning is still sound today. No one can guaranteed that your ally today will be your ally tomorrow.

It was said that Britain was the father of America, but, Paine points out that our people came from all over, thus, Europe was the Father of America.

Our people still come from all over the globe; however, now it seems that the immigrants of today only want to make money to send back to their country of origin, instead of, striving to make America great.

I think it is important for all Americans to read and discuss pieces like “Common Sense”, the Constitution of the United States” and the other influential treatises to solidify each’s foundation in understanding our country and the principles upon which it was founded.

I also realize that each generation is going to have its own agenda (as well as make its own mistakes); however, working within the framework of our system of government and principles, will keep our Republic viable and successful.

From the Web:

Thomas Paine was an influential 18th-century writer of essays and pamphlets. Among them were “The Age of Reason,” regarding the place of religion in society; “Rights of Man,” a piece defending the French Revolution; and “Common Sense,” which was published during the American Revolution. “Common Sense,” Paine’s most influential piece, brought his ideas to a vast audience, swaying the otherwise undecided public opinion to the view that independence from the British was a necessity.

Paine was a pamphleteer whose “Common Sense” and other writings influenced the American Revolution, and helped pave the way for the Declaration of Independence.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Common sense and The crisis DB19603

Paine, Thomas; Paine, Thomas. Reading time: 10 hours, 1 minute.

Read by David Horvitz. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Government and Politics

In “Common Sense,” first appearing in 1776, the American patriot sees the Declaration of Independence as America’s moral obligation to the world. In the thirteen “Crisis” papers, written during the Revolutionary War, he supports and encourages the patriotic struggle against Britain.