Just Us?

Dr. Franklin and I wish you a hearty and splendid Fourth of July.

Pursuant to a recent presentation of a TelePrompTed script by Barak the Bold which extolled an "American faith" of sorts, I must say I don't like all the mysticism that attaches to Americanism in general and the Fourth in particular. It's a practical matter, Friends; lend me your higher faculties.

Legend has it John Hancock writ large so "the king could see it without his spectacles," but did you know he committed a "hanging crime," risking "life, liberty and sacred honor," on account (among many grievances) of money on the barrel-heads, seeking to cut out the middle-man, namely said king?

From what I gather, the Navigation Acts decreed that Boston merchants had to buy their Port and Bordeaux from London factors - they couldn't deal direct with suppliers. The Crown therefore collected a tariff and a duty at once upon exchange in England, a baneful overhead requiring payment before merchants like Hancock had any assurance of selling the goods here. And the trade could only be shipped in British bottoms. Hence if a better deal was to be had in dealing direct with a French ship put into Manhattan - well nigh impossible. So they revolted with the support of many a British Whig in the cause of free trade.

So kindly spare us the religiosity about any "American faith."
It's always been about getting the best deal.
Barak the Bold, the mystic rhetorical philosopher-king?
Pulleeeze... getouttahere.

The U.S. Constitution substituted a Federal mechanism as the lesser of two evils, and it seems to me that the Feds need to be cut down to size - primarily as facilitator of commerce and provider of defense; that's about it. No pope, no kings here; nor social engineers robbing us of our culture, which is represented here in a bit of research on the subject, some reasoning, getting a good deal, and savoring the fruit of our labor. Common law (subject to review of course) suffices toward the rest of our needs, and so says the 10th Amendment.

Hunting, gathering, cultivating... works for me.
By the way, is that Cicero hovering above?
"It ain't Cincinnatus, pal."

I'll find out.