As I look around me in this so called "Land of Opportunity", I often wonder how much did the founding fathers pay for such a great land. Even more troubling, I often ask myself whether Africa can afford its own price tag. Well, it is without doubt that a hefty price-tag is attached to this land that we so much love and yearn for, being an African native.
Whenever I enjoy a hot shower in the morning, a whole year with hardly any power outtage, or even, the few minutes I seem to be stuck in traffic on a 5 lane highway, it reminds me that such amenities are the backbone of this great land. These are the very same realities often thought to be impossiblities, that the great men (Founding Fathers), envisioned in their minds to be a worthy ideal, worth paying the price for.
Now, the question that seems to be looming in my thoughts is whether my native Africa is ready to pay its price. Are our leaders having the same vision for their respective countrys or do they simply shrug and hope for a sale. Have our people become blind-sided by poverty that they simply embrace it? Should they put up a fight or accept that they are Africans, victims of circumstance (poverty), which is simply part of the Human-Paradigms;Thats the way life should be;Thats the way life is.
Every other day, I read about trivial triumphs taking place in Africa that seem to be blown-out-of-proportion. This makes me wonder whether it is aimed at encouraging Africans or simply efforts to divert and suppress the vital few projects. Shouldn't all our efforts as Africans be focused on better developing our energy production, transportation infrastructure, food production, IT and the likes?
The price tag for the development of the African continent is way too big for any donor to cover. In fact, I have reason to believe that it surpasses the one paid by the Great Founding Fathers of America, if not, doubles it. Until we take a stand and make a promise to ourselves to "pitch-in" and pay the price, then will we get to see real success and triumphs worthy of being published.
Native African
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All 56 signers faced death by hanging, most lost their families and all their fortunes.
ReplyDeleteThe Key to ALL the signers is that they ALL had an INTERNAL moral compass for LIBERTY to direct your own life under a Righteous Holy God.
They didn't believe in a Government handout, generation after generation.
Also, a lot of the strength in this country came from a majority of immigrants in 1800's had a strong work ethic which refused to take handouts and wanted to pull the load.
Sadly, a lot of people in America have a "rights" mentality that assumes they deserve something for nothing entitlements.
America is STRONG because of Capitalism and REWARDING the hard workers (whether by labor or ingenuity).
Of the 56 Signers...
Francis Lewis had his home and estate plundered. His wife was captured and brutalized, later dying from the effects of bad treatment.
William Floyd and his family were unable to return to their pillaged home for seven years.
Philip Livingston was forced to leave his family and died alone in 1778.
Lewis Morris and family spent the entire war in exile, their vast estate and fortune destroyed.
"Honest John" Hart left his dying wife and 13 children behind, hiding in caves and forests. Years later he returned to find his wife's grave, his 13 children gone. He died alone, a broken man in 1779.
Richard Stockton was brutally beaten upon capture, and mistreated in prison. He died in 1781 a despondent 51 year-old.
Robert Morris lent his vast fortune and credit to the cause. He died broke in 1806.
William Ellery had his home and property looted.
Thomas Lynch Jr. sought vacation to aid his failing health, dying in a shipwreck.
Thomas Heyward, Edward Rutledge and Arthur Middleton lost their vast fortunes while in prison. Mrs. Heyward died while her husband was imprisoned.
Thomas Nelson Jr., despite failing health, served as a commander in the militia, and spent his personal fortune on the cause. At the battle of Yorktown, he ordered his own home destroyed by cannon fire while it was occupied by the British.
Abraham Clark was notified his two sons were captured and being brutally tortured while in prison. The British offered Clark his two sons freedom if he would renounce his signature on the Declaration of Independence. With a heavy heart he answered, "NO."