Watching brief glimpses of the British crown welcoming America’s president and various world tech, government, finance, and media powerbrokers at a lavish state dinner made me think (and smile). As Americans prepare to celebrate 250 years of independence, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far history has brought us since the American colonies declared independence from British rule on July 4, 1776, with these words:
Historical Echoes
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do…”
Now, I recall the above words, initially presented by Richard Henry Lee as a resolution to the Second Continental Congress and later rewritten by Thomas Jefferson into our Declaration of Independence. This serves as a testament to our national pride in the progress we have made in two and one-half centuries, particularly when compared to the millennia of the United Kingdom’s existence.
Pageantry vs. Pragmatism
I couldn’t help but compare the precise pageantry of the British crown and their Head of State’s welcome to our American elected leaders. We walk a little more casually, talk less informally, and dress differently than the “mother country.” However, our resolve to be a collection of “free and independent states” could not have been more obvious. Americans have more free speech rights under the First Amendment than the United Kingdom.
Free Speech vs. UK Article 10
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: a late-night host who is fired for whatever they said works for a network, or a “brand.” The “brand” can fire you at will for any reason. If the late-night host said the same thing on his own podcast or network, there would be no problem. No free speech has been impeded. The employer maintains their free speech rights to run their business as they see fit, as long as they do not run afoul of federal laws.) Americans have more free speech rights under the First Amendment. Compare our First Amendment rights to the Human Rights Act, Article 10 of the UK, which qualifies free speech with these restrictions:
Protect national security
Prevent disorder or crime
Safeguard public health or morals
Protect the rights and reputations of others
The UK has British subjects, not citizens, as we are, so their free speech laws are not First Amendment freedoms. They are subject to their monarchy and Parliament.
From Abused Colonies to Modern Allies
Great Britain had a history of wanting to impede the American colonies ‘ speech rights by a “long train of abuses and usurpations,” such as:
Dissolving our colonial legislatures
Controlling our judges
Appointing bureaucrats to harass our colonial population
Taxation without representation in Parliament
Keeping standing armies amongst our people and not being subject to our laws
Ignoring our grievances despite many attempts to resolve issues peacefully
Looking Forward
I’m delighted to see that our friendship with the United Kingdom has been reaffirmed this week. One area that the UK was excited about is our significant financial investment, as outlined in the Tech Prosperity Deal. It seems that the UK can ascend to what our founders sought in the Declaration of Independence: to “….conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do…”
The pageantry of a state dinner certainly contrasts with the modest meetings of the Continental Congress. Yet, both celebrate the enduring principle that sovereign nations—whether their leaders are crowned or elected—can choose peace, forge alliances, and pursue commerce on their own terms. I look forward to a future where the United States and the United Kingdom continue to collaborate as equal, independent states, each respecting the freedoms that define them.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
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