"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine

"Common Sense"

     The book or pamphlet Common Sense was written by a great man and a great revolutionary named Thomas Paine. Thomas argued forcefully for American Revolution. Paine was an artesan and a tax collector. He was tarred and feathered. Everyone in the colonies knew about his book and he could say everything he wanted to say. Many of his ideas appeared in the declaration of Indpendence.

     He begins by arguing the difference between government and society. Society, in his opinion, is everything constructive and good that people join together to accomplish. Government is an institution whose only purpose is to protect us from our own vices. He also said that the goals of government are to protect life, liberty and property. Paine says the people will be much happier if they are responsible for the creation of the laws that rule them. Paine then attacks the British system of government. Paine says the British system is too complex and full with contradictions, and that the monarchy has too much power.

     Paine argues about how everyone was born equal but there were the kings who had a distinctions with the normal people. He tells the story about the first king who was a Jew and how God didn't like it. Paine presents pages of biblical evidence detailing God's wrath at the idea of the Jews having a king. He says that the monarchy comes from a sin and God will condemn it. 

     Paine says that the colonies have little to gain from being attached to Britain. Commerce can be made with the rest of Europe, but only if America becomes independent. He proposed a form of government 

his recommendation is for a representative democracy that gives roughly equal weight to each of the colonies. He thought America can be independent and didn't need the help of British. They could trade with whom they wanted and they could have war with whom they wanted. That little Pamphlet help for the revolution of a whole country.

Thomas Paine - Common Sense http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfkBy4HV0lM