Could America withstand another Nathaniel Bacon

I recently came across a story about Nathaniel Bacon. I checked out his
Wikipeia page . What struck me was the fact that what he felt in 1676 as violations and trangressions from the British Crown in the colony of Virgina could apply to today. So he announced on July 30, 1776  -”in which he proclaims Virginia‘s colonial governor, William Berkeley, corrupt and expresses his displeasure at what his followers regarded as unjust taxation and the government’s failure to provide colonists protection from some tribes of Native Americans—the presumed grievances which brought about the uprising known as Bacon’s rebellion.”- Wikepedia. This was known as” The Declaration of the People“

I felt that this document could truly show the correlation between what Mr. Nathaniel Bacon felt 400 years ago and what a “modern day Nathaniel Bacon” could feel as violations of what he feels are unjust and corrupt grievances. In no way is this an encouragement to throw off the “shackles” of the American Democracy or Dynasty if you prefer, as Mr. Bacon tried. But you might find interesting how one man felt 400 years ago with a modern spin on the powers of today. Enjoy.

Nathaniel Bacon’s “Declaration of the People”  circa 2010: All words that are mine are in Italics. I’ve tried to keep all his original words as best I could for poetic justice I have changed them to fit the 2010 piece. Where the word Majesty was I substituted America.

1. For having, upon specious (deceptively attractive) pretenses of public works, raised great unjust taxes upon the people for the advancement of private favorites(Lobbyists, Family and Cronies) and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate( We have nothing to show for all the money you spent!); for not having, during this long time of his government, in any measure advanced this hopeful colony either by fortifications (making us any safer in 9 years),  towns , (finacially, economically, infrastructure-wise, or energy efficient), or trade. (I’ve purposefully left the word trade alone. As we all know about our nations trade deficits.)

2. For having abused and rendered contemptible the magistrates of justice by advancing to places of judicature scandalous and ignorant favorites. (Crooked Judges!)

3. For having wronged his America’s prerogative and interest by assuming monopoly of the beaver (money) trade and for having in it unjust gain betrayed and sold his America’s country and the lives of his loyal subjects to the barbarous heathen. (The Fed.Reserve sold us out to China)

4. For having protected, favored, and emboldened the Indians (Terrorists)against his America’s loyal subjects, never contriving, requiring, or appointing any due or proper means of satisfaction for their many invasions, robberies, and murders committed upon us (Homeland Security is  joke and secure the borders!).

5. For having, when the army of English (America) was just upon the track of those Terrorist’s, who now in all places burn, spoil, murder and when we might with ease have destroyed them who then were in open hostility(Tora Bora), for then having expressly countermanded and sent back our army by passing his word for the peaceable demeanor of the said Terrorists, who immediately prosecuted their evil intentions, committing horrid murders and robberies in all places, being protected by the said engagement and word past of him the said The United States Government, having ruined and laid desolate a great part of his American country (9/11), and have now drawn themselves into such obscure and remote places (Yemen, Sudan, Pakistan, Iran) and are by their success so emboldened and confirmed by their confederacy so strengthened that the cries of blood are in all places, and the terror and consternation of the people so great, are now become not only difficult but a very formidable enemy who might at first with ease have been destroyed. (We never should have been in Iraq)

6. And lately, when, upon the loud outcries of blood, the assembly had, with all care, raised and framed an army for the preventing of further mischief and safeguard of this his American’s colony (nation).

7. For having, with only the privacy of some few favorites (lobbyists)without acquainting the people, only by the alteration of a figure (when we became a mob) , forged a commission, by we know not what hand (who,why, or how you picked them), not only without but even against the consent of the people (We want a transparent Government), for the raising and effecting civil war and destruction, which being happily and without bloodshed prevented; for having the second time attempted the same, thereby calling down our forces from the defense of the frontiers and most weakly exposed places. (Your stretching the National Guard!)

8. For the prevention of civil mischief and ruin amongst ourselves while the barbarous enemy(terrorists) in all places did invade, murder, and spoil us, his America’s most faithful subjects (citizens).

Of this and the aforesaid articles we accuse Sir William Berkeley (The United States Government) as guilty of each and every one of the same, and as one who has traitorously attempted, violated, and injured his American’s interest here by a loss of a great part of this his colony (country) and many of his faithful loyal subjects by him betrayed (Their jobs were outsourced)  and in a barbarous and shameful manner exposed to the incursions and murder of the heathen (Better border security.). And we do further declare these the ensuing persons in this list to have been his wicked and pernicious councilors, confederates, aiders, and assisters against the commonalty in these our civil commotions ( you guys are responsible for this mess our country is in! ).

Editors Note- He then goes on to list 23 names of “we do further demand that the said Sir William Berkeley with all the persons in this list be forthwith delivered up or surrender themselves within four days after the notice hereof, or otherwise we declare as follows.”

“These are, therefore, in his America’s name, to command you forthwith to seize the persons above mentioned as traitors to the King (Citizens) and country and them to bring to Middle Plantation (We want to take them to a field, try them, and hang them.) and there to secure them until further order, and, in case of opposition, if you want any further assistance you are forthwith to demand it in the name of the people in all the counties of Virginia.”- (Basically, “Virginia you can make a citizen’s arrest. Hold them til us and the media get down there. If you need help give us a shout and we will be down there double time! )

Editor’s Note- Just goes to show you. When it comes to Revolutions. The more they change, the more they stay the same. One of the amazing parts of the Revolution was that “Indentured servants both black and white joined the frontier rebellion.” -Wikipedia

In 1676 almost 200 years before the American Civil War white men and black men stood at the forefront of an American Rebellion.

In today’s day an American Rebellion or American like Nathaniel Bacon would most obviously be destroyed with a Predator Drone strike, a cruise missile or a B1 dropping a 1500 lb bomb on Nathaniel’s head and everyone else who was in the safe house when America found out. Bacon died of dysentary in October of 1776.

My question is would you say Mr.Bacon is a liberal or conservative?

J.P. Douglas

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Always remember the government has M1-A1′s. You have a butter knife. Revolution is not an option but voting is.

Below you will find a website devoted to Nathaniel Bacon and more of his story. http://baconsrebellion.blogspot.com/2007/09/nathaniel-bacon-vindicated-gov-berkeley.html

 

Following the Money

I recently made contact with www.followthemoney.org a non-partisan website that has been audited by the RAND corporation. This website is the number one site for finding out who is lobbying your politicians. In the old days citizens would be very limited to the access of who is lobbying. Now with www.followthemoney.org we have a one stop shop to find out which politicians are getting the money and from who. The usefulness of this site is immeasurable. Did your Senator vote for health care reform? You can find out why. Who paid him to vote that way? The possibilities are endless.

Here is some of the information provided to me by Executive Director Edwin Bender of www.followthemoney.org.  “First, the Institute compiles the donor information filed by more than 16,000 candidates and committees with state disclosure officials every two-year election cycle. From the 100,000 individual reports, we build a database of more than 3 million records that totals more than $3 billion. It represents all donors to state legislative, statewide and other candidates, to state political party committees as well as ballot measure committees. Where we can’t get electronic data, we input it from PDF or paper reports. This unique database has been used by conservative and liberal groups alike to make points about the role of campaign finances in the public-policy processes at the state level.”

That is a wealth of information. Information is power. As a voter I can look to see who is giving money to my Congress person and see how that influences’ his vote. I asked Mr. Bender how this information could and should be used in a “perfect world”. He stated, “In our perfect world, voters would use the information we make available about candidates on both sides of the political aisle to inform their votes come election time. Most candidates run on three or four “hot button” issues, yet are required to make decisions about hundreds or thousands of issues. Our data is a key indicator of how they will vote on those issues, as donor-issue-to-vote correlations are in the high 80 percentile. (Political party correlations are lower, in the mid-70s.)”

The old saying that “he who pays the piper calls the tune” is now more true than ever as lobbyists have taken over Congress on the Federal and State level. We know that family members of  Congress are paid lobbyists. With this information we can see if their lobbying firm paid to get their agenda through. This website opens up the transparency of government that we all strive for, whether the politicians like it or not.  The piper may play the tune but now we can read the sheet music.

J.P. Douglas

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