As an amateur scholar of the Revolutionary War period, I think I can safely say that the Patriots did not have the majority of the people behind them in the beginning.
Back then, as now, people were apathetic & selfish.
They didn’t want any trouble.
It was the initial Patriot minority that had the vision to change things, thereby bringing more over to their way of thinking.
Your post is that of a defeatist mentality.
I only thank God our forefathers had the moxy to keep at it (& thank the Brits for screwing up royally on several occassions with their arrogance).
Bcs they didn’t give up the dream of liberty, we are all here to freely enjoy it.
At least for the time being.
I prefer to remain optimistic, thank you.
Where there’s a will, there IS a way.

Badger40 on November 10, 2009 at 10:38 AM

I don’t consider myself an historian of any kind — not even amateur. But, this currently omnipresent claim sounded like B.S. to me; and, it turns out that it most likely IS b.s..

see http://www.independent.org/publications/article.asp?id=1398

There are other sites addressing the same issue. I make no claims about the website I linked above, or any other. But there is clearly good reason to doubt this “1/3 support” claim. The claim demands proof. If you’ve got it, present it.

How? They at least had the majority of the country with them. If we had the majority with us today, we could vote the bums out. So, as a minority, how do you propose to oppose all the powers of the government, unflattering media, and a majority of the unsympathetic populace?

AnotherOpinion on November 9, 2009 at 6:40 PM

As an amateur scholar of the Revolutionary War period, I think I can safely say that the Patriots did not have the majority of the people behind them in the beginning.
Back then, as now, people were apathetic & selfish.
They didn’t want any trouble.
It was the initial Patriot minority that had the vision to change things, thereby bringing more over to their way of thinking.
Your post is that of a defeatist mentality.
I only thank God our forefathers had the moxy to keep at it (& thank the Brits for screwing up royally on several occassions with their arrogance).
Bcs they didn’t give up the dream of liberty, we are all here to freely enjoy it.
At least for the time being.
I prefer to remain optimistic, thank you.
Where there’s a will, there IS a way.

Maybe it’ll be the same day you post something that is factually accurate.

Proud Rino on November 9, 2009 at 6:42 PM

99% of my posts are accurate.

…and you passed up the opportunity to gracefully admit your mistake.

thomasaur on November 9, 2009 at 5:50 PM

I responded in kind.

IRONIC LOGIC FAIL…

Yoop on November 9, 2009 at 5:41 PM

I don’t see any logic failure, unless you consider having your mental shortcomings detailed to be some kind of insult.

They [the Founders] at least had the majority of the country with them. If we had the majority with us today, we could vote the bums out. So, as a minority, how do you propose to oppose all the powers of the government, unflattering media, and a majority of the unsympathetic populace?
AnotherOpinion on November 9, 2009 at 6:40 PM

The Founders were a minority, too. In most histories of the Revolutionary War that I’ve read, approximately 1/3 of the colonists were pro-Independence, 1/3 were Loyalists and the remaining 1/3 were “none of the above”.

Healthcare: Young people that have not accumulated wealth to the older folks that have.

WashJeff on November 9, 2009 at 4:15 PM

OT here, but I just had to respond to this. WashJeff, I’m not trying to pick a fight and I understand you’re probably frustrated. But, I have to let you know, I’m over 50 and feel frustrated too because I’ll also have to pay into this healthcare thing. Inevitably, I will lose my private health insurance. Its not perfect but there are other ways to work on fixing the mess. I would hope that you’ll try to see this from other people’s perspective and not just think that its the young people getting screwed. I will aslo face fines or imprisonment if I don’t cooperate.
Also consider this; I’ve been unwillingly paying into Social Security for over 30 years but I’ll probably never see a dime. My IRA is in the shi**er and my savings $$ will be devalued by hyperinflation.

Just wanted to show you a different twist. Peace.

Its called bribery. And now it is legal.

kurtzz3 on November 9, 2009 at 7:23 PM

Say what?

We’ve had that going on at the federal level for decades now…’lobbyists’ of all stripes buying our representatives with anything from money to power to the promise of brainwashed voters.

“If you assist me by working against the best interests of your own citizens I WILL GIVE YOU A TON OF MONEY”.

Its called bribery. And now it is legal.

I retain my State sovereignty objection–the Bill of Rights shouldn’t even apply against the States!

Everyone was ignoring you the first time because that’s a stupid thing to say.

What part of the Fifth Amendment says it only applies to the national government?

The constitution includes specific prohibitions against states, and others against the national government (usually via the construction: “Congress shall make no law…”) When the Constitution simply says that something won’t happen, and doesn’t specify which level of government won’t do it, it means NONE of them will do it. Neither the several states nor the United States will take property without compensation….

The Monster on November 9, 2009 at 6:25 PM

This is also wrong.

Maybe it’ll be the same day you post something that is factually accurate.

Proud Rino on November 9, 2009 at 6:42 PM

Ouch! Normally that would leave a great mark… ;-)