Jim,
I’d like to add a couple of thoughts to the recent Appleseed/Libertyseed post. While I have been involved with Appleseed and really appreciate the history and message that is presented, we need to correct the misconception that: “The spirit of liberty was alive and well in the hearts and minds of Paul Revere and his fellow American colonists in the 1770s…” The notion of “3 Percenters” lives today based on the rough statistics that only 3% of the colonists actually fought the Revolutionary War, another 10% actively supported the war effort, and another 20% supported the war in spirit but did nothing substantive.
Only 13%(ish) actively supported liberty and the war effort, against 66% of the colonists that opposed it. Within this two-thirds of opposition, there were spies, traitors, and some who even fought along with the British soldiers. While these percentages are subject to debate, and the numbers surely changed as the war unfolded, it is at least obvious that the spirit of liberty was opposed by an overwhelming majority.
I also don’t appreciate the author’s pessimistic perspective on America today. She wrote: “As you look around in your family, your neighborhood, your city, your state, and your country, do you see the spirit of liberty alive and well? Quite frankly, I don’t.” and, “Perhaps it’s too late to save America. Perhaps the ship has already sunk too far…” I don’t know about the rest of you, but I see the spirit of liberty alive and growing! Every week it seems that more and more people are waking-up to the tyranny and injustices perpetrated by our government, and are joining, both formally and informally, the liberty movement. I see it nationally, in my state, and even in my neighborhood. The birth of the Tea Party, our first real alternative to the corrupt two party system, is a prime example.
What is the percent of Americans today who stand ready to defend liberty and our Constitution? Your guess is as good as mine. But I take solace in knowing that a 13% minority was able to stand up and fight against overwhelming odds and win. I have no doubt that we have at least the same percentages today, if not greater. If even 3-13% of our 308 million populace stands committed, then we are 9-to-40 million strong! Let that number sink in, especially relative to the size of any army or government agency on the planet.
I believe we are as strong today as ever, and to the RWVA’s credit, I have no doubt they are making a difference. As long as there remains a core of Americans who will continue to educate themselves on the Constitution, and continue to raise succeeding generations appropriately, then America will survive.