In 1776, they signed their names to a revolutionary document, pledging “our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honour” to defend the radical idea that “all men are created equal “ – that they equally enjoy the natural rights of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” – that governments are needed to protect those rights – that government‘s powers derive “from the consent of the governed”.
Look at those who would make up your government today. Would they pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their honor? Is your freedom worth that much to them?
Some would, certainly. But some of them prove to be dishonorable people. Rather than pledge their fortunes in your defense, they sacrifice your rights in order to build their own fortunes, to enhance their own lives, to mask their dishonor.
We are nearing 250 years since those colonists dared to put their names on that document. Can we, the governed, select honorable people, preserve our nation, and survive to that anniversary?
We ask and answer that question every day.
