PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – June 2026
When I was in a business network organization there was one member who had the practice of reading aloud the Declaration of Independence every July 4th. The words of Thomas Jefferson are stirring and we should remind ourselves of their impact regularly, but the text, written in late 18th Century English, does present some barriers to understanding.
Diane and I recently visited the Frazier Kentucky History Museum in Louisville. They had an exhibit Pursuit of Happiness, exploring how everyday people worked towards freedom and pursued happiness in their own ways. One display was a translation of the Declaration of Independence into modern language. With Independence Day approaching, I thought I’d share this “translation.” I think Jefferson would approve.
The 13 states of America have discussed this and we are in agreement.
Sometimes it is necessary and natural for a group of people to declare independence from another group. This is what’s happening now as we claim the separate and equal rights we deserve. Of course, a break-up this big deserves an explanation. So let us explain why…
We believe it is obvious that all people have the right to equal treatment and have God-given rights that cannot be taken away. These include a right to live, a right to be free, and a right to seek happiness.
It is government’s job to protect these rights, and the Only way a government gets its power is from the people It exists to help.
If a government fails to protect the rights of its people, those people can change it or replace it with a new government that does a better job of serving their safety and happiness.
Still, people should be careful and wise and not rush to replace governments over small and trivial matters. People will usually suffer under a bad government rather than act to change their situation.
But sometimes things get really bad and a government works against the rights of its people in order to control them entirely. This is when it is necessary for people to replace their government and create a better future.
We have reached that limit. We have decided that enough is enough and we are ready to move on by breaking free of what has been forced upon us.
King George Ill is a tyrant who wants complete control over us. Here’s a list of things he’s done to prove our point:
He won’t approve useful laws the people need.
He won’t allow individual colonies to pass laws without his permission. Many of these are very important to us but, he ignores us.
I some cases he won’t pass our requested new laws unless we give up representative government. Only a tyrant would want to take this right of self-governing away from people.
King George has called legislative meetings in far-off places that are difficult for us to get to. This means people can’t afford to attend, so in effect, we have no say or choice in the meetings.
He shut down local legislatures who strongly stood up to him (with manly firmness) on behalf of the people.
He won’t let us elect new leaders, or reform local legislatures. We believe this power can’t be taken away by anyone so it is in the hands of the people. Until this is settled, we are less safe from threats inside and outside of our borders.
In trying to limit the number of people in these states, he has not allowed immigrants to come to America to become citizens and own land.
He has taken control of our court system.
He is the only person who can pay judges, which creates a conflict of interest for them.
He has sent lots of officials to harass us, and we have to pay for them.
Even when there is no war happening, he has kept his soldiers here.
He says we should obey his military rather than our own government.
He lets British Parliament make laws for us without our permission. Here are some of those laws:
We must house British soldiers in our homes.
Some of those soldiers were not brought to justice for the murder of Americans
We are not allowed to trade with anyone else in the world besides Great Britain
We are taxed without our permission or representation:
We have no right to a trial by jury
Some of us have been taken overseas to be tried for crimes we did not commit
Great Britain took complete control over our neighbor, Quebec, and they intend to do the same thing here.
We have lost control of our own colonial governments and laws.
Our legislators have lost power, instead we must only do only as the British say.
He has given up responsibility for our safety and we are no longer under British protection. Instead, the King has attacked us.
He has attacked our ships, burned our towns and ruined lives.
The King has hired foreign mercenary armies to continue the tighting and destruction.
No civilized king should act so cruelly.
He has captured our own citizens and forced them to fight against us.
He is also inciting attacks from both from our own citizens and the Native Americans who live nearby.
We have asked many times for things to change, but have been ignored. A king who acts like this is unfit to rule free people.
We have told our fellow British citizens about how their government has treated us since we immigrated here.
We have tried to remind them of the common bonds we share, yet they too have ignored us. So we must treat them like anyone else – enemies in war or friends in peace.
As the Representatives of the United States of America, in the name of the people who live here, we officially proclaim that our United Colonies are now free and independent states. From now on, we have no political connection with Great Britain.
As independent states, we have the power to make war, peace, alliances, trade deals and anything else we so desire.
We pledge our support of this declaration and each other with our very lives.
Wishing you all a very happy and safe Independence Day.
— IRA L GOLDSTEIN, President
