Author Andrew M. Allison, in Part I of The Real Thomas Jefferson, says some contemporaneous critics of The Declaration of Independence claimed it’s ideas were borrowed from other writers. Thomas Jefferson readily admits this and explained that:
"The object of the Declaration of Independence was not to find out new principles or new arguments never before thought of, not 
merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we [were] compelled to take.
Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular or previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion."
Likewise, I do not see it as my charge, nor within my ability, to put forward ideas not already described somewhere else in human history, but to attempt to describe the "common sense of the subject" and to provide "an expression of the American mind" regarding the challenges facing 21st century America.
Please let know your thoughts on my thoughts. I hope to spawn debate, not end it, to engage my readers and to help advance our founder’s ideals.
Congress Voting Independence – Robert Edge Pine
