Who Stole The Government of the USA ?

Question

Nobody worked harder for the establishment of the USA than Thomas Paine. But in Washington there is no public recognition of his huge achievements. Dozens of statues to other 'Founding Fathers'.

Paine hated the rise of an elite 'political class' in the USA. He did not believe in 'government by the corporations and for the corporations'. Is this why not a single movie has been made on him or his great work for democracy ?

Come now Americans - is it not time that Thomas Paine is really, really, recognised ?

Answer 1

The corporations that line Bush and Cheney's pockets stole the government of the USA.

I totally agree with you Paine was a great orator, leader and political mind. Bush is none of those things.

Answer 2

There is an interesting dichotomy in our early Republic's history--the radicals were allowed to espouse their position during the revolution but were soon pushed out and suppressed by the early government. Samuel Adams, Patick Henry, Thomas Paine were all of the radical stripe. You see very little in the way of memorials to them, while you see a lot more for Washington, Franklin, Jefferson.

Why this is hinges on the statement that our revolution was a middle class rebellion (even before a middle class really was formed here--this was a rebellion by tradesman, men of commerce and some property who's interests were more like the middle class than an elite aristocracy)....unlike the French revolution (which was a revolution of have nots against haves).

The middle class is never radical, it has interests in commerce and property (a stake in the wealth of society) and therefore is never looking for really radical change. Thus the moderates of our revolution sought first to compromise with England and the King and only when that middle position failed did open rebellion break out. The nascent middle class is what ultimately seized control of the government itself (not that this was a conscious or concerted effort) and pushed out the more radical elements.

The radicals, as radicals often are, were not realistic in their expectations--many of their positions were so extreme that the formation of a competent national government was not feasible--the Articles of Confederation were more radical than the Constitution of 1789 if you ask me. So, the radicals were swept aside on a pragmatic basis by 1789. Which is why (perhaps) Patick Henry became the US Government's biggest critic and never joined it, despite being fiercely pro-independence.

In short, the memorials go (as is the writing of history) to the victors--the less radical, more middle class types ended up running a moderately strong national government. They were the ones who got the memorials and perhaps justly so.

Answer 3

You started out well but what is all this ranting about corporations? Do any of you people know what a corporation is? It is a publicly owned business. That's all. Instead of being owned by a single person, it is owned by investors like you and me. I don't understand where all the hatred comes from. Do you prefer the old "Robber Barron" system? Do you prefer the Soviet style Government owned system? For crying out loud why is there so much vitriol out there directed against the very companies you and your relatives can share in?

Corporations provide goods and services at bargain prices and at great convenience to the consumers. Is that some sort of crime? Even labor unions are invested in corporations. Where do you think the pension funds reside?

I really am at a loss about this. You all seem to be relatively intelligent people. Who is telling you that corporations are evil?

Answer 4

Well.. you know that Hollywood is funded by corporations for profit, so it's possible that's why Paine is not represented in any movies.. but Paine isn't the only one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine

By the way, here's a statue of Thomas Paine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Statue_of_Thomas_Paine%2C_Thetford%2C_Norfolk.jpg

There is a museum in New Rochelle, New York in his honour and a statue of him stands in King Street in Thetford, Norfolk, his place of birth. The statue holds a quill and his book, Rights of Man. The book is upside down. NYU also has a bust of Thomas Paine in their pantheon of heroes. Two additional statues of Paine are displayed in Morristown, New Jersey and Bordentown, New Jersey.

Every year, between 4 July and 14 July, Lewes Town Council organizes a festival to celebrate the life and work of Thomas Paine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine#Legacy

Answer 5

Who Stole The Government of the USA ?

The Globalists

Answer 6

Thomas Paine was actually a paid propagandist. Not that what he did wasn't fine, but glorifying him is much the same as praising Armstrong Williams or Maggie Gallagher for the work they were paid for by the Republicans.

Answer 7

No one stole it...it was bought and paid for.

And the American citizens, recipients of the greatest gift ever offered, were found to be too blind and short-sighted...too trusting and vain to resist the allure of lies.

WOE unto this nation. You have fewer than 8 months left of plenty.

WATCH.

Answer 8

Socialist liberals on both sides of the spectrum, Democrats and Republicans

Answer 9

nobody, it's always been like this, back when things were good when you say they were, they actually weren't, they just didn't work as hard agaisnt us.

wich brings me to the term "politicks" it orginates from teh lattin term poli, meaning many, and ticks meaning evil bloodsucking creatures.

Answer 10

The Grinch stole it.