It's the independence from the British Govt, right? So some die hard Americans will say "yeah cuz the dang Brits make us pay taxes at that time!" So are we not still paying taxes to the U.S. Govt instead? And if the Brits had won wouldn't we be taken care by Tony Blair as our leader instead of BUSH? So why should I celebrate?? It's not like the Brits Govt. are the Commie or anything, right?
2007-06-29 09:05:06 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
To Doug: I'm not comparing with other 3rd world or anything. It's the Brits I'm talking about. Look at their country, they got more freedom than we do. As far as I know most other European countries allow you to drink on the streets and other freedom as well. They get the latest tech and we get it much later time cause our Govt policy. Like u were saying people getting tortured and stuff but Brits dont' do that!? We wouldn't have Bush running this country if Brits were in charge right?
2007-06-29 09:14:55 · update #1
Um, I think it's incredibly arrogant to assume that had the Brits won history would have aligned itself such that Tony Blair was in office. Would the French Revolution have happened? The American Civil War wouldn't have happened. The War of 1812 wouldn't have happened. Would WWII have happened?
A lot has changed. We are now friends with the Brits. To assume that the values of 1776 are the same as those today is incredibly short-sighted. Taxes then were not like taxes now because the idea of the government helping out the poor didn't exist. They had slaves for crying out loud.
We celebrate because it is Americas birthday. Unless you want to argue that no birthdays are worth celebrating, then I think there should be a celebration. Additionally, it's a celebration of patriotism, not necessarily in a anti-British way. I'd certainly argue that patriotism is stupid, but unless you want to argue that, there's no way we should stop celebrating the 4th.
2007-06-29 09:13:13 · answer #1 · answered by dawhitfield 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You're missing a very key part of your story. We were paying taxes to the British throne but weren't allowed to have any representation in the House of Commons. This is where the saying "No taxation without representation" came from.
Additionally, the feeling in America at the time was that we were not British. We had already begun to form our own culture, we had local governing bodies and laws and felt that we should not be ruled by a King thousands of miles away.
You really should look into the story of your country's independance, there's much more to it than taxes.
2007-06-29 09:12:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
We wanted to be governed by the people, for the people, not a damn King who reigned over us with unfair trade practices and tying us down without enough freedom.
This country is all about freedom. Look at all the other screwed up countries in the world..citizens getting killed, tortured and persecuted. All the wars that are all about religion. It is destroying the middle east as we speak
Freedom is good and until it is taken away it's easy to criticize.
This is the richest and most powerful country in the world, be very very glad you were born here and don't ever miss an opportunity to celebrate the birthday of this country.
2007-06-29 09:10:27 · answer #3 · answered by Sir Douglas 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Sorry man but you really need to brush up on your basic U.S. history. We declared our indepence because of "taxation without representation". The British government was taxing the 13 colonies and making the laws from across the pond without consutling with the colonies. Laws and taxes were without the say of the colonies by men whom the colonies did not elect. Yeah we pay taxes today but we also have a say in how our governments (local, state, national) are run. You should really read the Declaration of Idepence then you would know why so many risk so much to start this country!
2007-06-29 09:21:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's freedom, independence...not just from another country but from a king. It's not about taxes or political issues or party systems....its about democracy. No matter what is happening now, isn't it important to remember the past and remember the sacrifices those men and women made so that their children could be free? A king was using a nation of people for monetary gain, and yes, we should celebrate our independence from that. Isn't it also important to realize that we have become great allies with Britain, and so have learned to forgive and forget? Fourth of July is one of my favorite holdiays because it makes us all remember how lucky we are, and remember that freedom doesn't come free.
2007-06-29 09:13:26 · answer #5 · answered by K.K. 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes but when we pay taxes to our government it funds programs that are used by and help Americans, not the Brits. We were paying taxes to a King using the money on another continent, now tell me that isn't ridiculous? Of course we had to fight for our independence, we were supporting ourselves and the King.
2007-06-29 09:13:04 · answer #6 · answered by Jason 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is independent from more then paying taxes that were unjustly very highh more hig then now. It was getting away from being order around by a dictator like King George. Back then there was no prime minister like Tony Blair. Back then the royal family ruler and it was at their wamps as to how they did things.
2007-06-29 09:12:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The issue was taxation without representation. You have representation in Congress now. We celebrate the 4th because it is the date of our declaration of Independence from England. It is the day we became an independent nation. That is what the celebration is about.
2007-06-29 09:16:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No hippie dude, it was unfair taxation without representation. They were simply taking too much money and not benefiting the Americans at all. We celebrate because its tradition to to celebrate births, even that of our country. If we were alive at that time, we would probably feel more excited about it.
2007-06-29 09:12:23 · answer #9 · answered by socalmal 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
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2016-09-28 14:48:42 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋