Thomas Paine Dies
Monday June 8, 2009
On June 8, 1809, Thomas Paine died in New York City. Regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of his time, Paine helped inspire the nation's morale during the hard times of America's fight for independence from Britain. He was best known for his famous pamphlet, Common Sense, which was published in 1776.
Comments
I’m a fifth-grade teacher in Jefferson County, and an crucial part of teaching civics is providing students with our primary sources: the founding documents. This is critical in understanding what “We the People” really means. Today, as they did over 230 years ago, those documents instill in students the belief that all our voices are important. Every one of our citizens are given the right to pursue liberty. Futures do not have to be inevitable and “Little voices” can make dramatic impacts on events. That is Thomas Paine’s greatest contribution to our country. His pamphlet, Common Sense, spoke to all the voices in the 13 colonies during a time of great fear and indecision. He gave a vast number of citizens a vision of what each could do, 176 days before the Declaration of Independence. A belief that power should radiate from the citizens. That message is still paramount to all our students today. For that pamphlet alone, Paine needs to be recognized as a integral part of the American miracle.
Mark Wilensky,
author of “The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine: An Interactive Adaptation for All Ages”
I am impressed with Mark W. comments on Thomas Paine. He certainly writes much older than a fifth grader. I would be interested in his comments concerning the direction the country is heading since it is in great contrast to what Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense.
His belief was indeed that the power should radiate from the people,and not from government. But now we are again being heavily taxed without representation, and big government has taken over business, the banks, and now want to take over health care.
Thomas Paine would tell you that he did not risk being hanged as a traitor just so we can head down the same road he fought hard to avoid. Since the American dream is being taken away from Mark and future generations through senseless taxation and spending, he may want to redefine the term “We the People”.
The only difference is that the tyranny is from within, and not from a country across the ocean.
Impressed by comments by the 5th grader and Cecil
Cecil and Ken….Mark W is a 5th grade TEACHER not a fifth grader…
My apologies to Mark W. I still would be interested in his comments.
Readers: the writer is a teacher, not a fifth grader.