"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine

1) "That the crown is this overbearing part in the English constitution needs not be mentioned, and that it derives its whole consequence merely from being the giver of places and pensions is self-evident; wherefore, though we have been wise enough to shut and lock a door against absolute Monarchy, we at the same time have been foolish enough to put the Crown in possession of the key." Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Paine is basically saying that they ruler of England has a lot to do with their constitution and is a big bulk of the problems they had here only because he his the "land lord" of the estates. He also states that even though they don't believe in absolute Monarchy, they are being ruled by that in which they do not believe in.

2)"MANKIND being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance: the distinctions of rich and poor may in a great measure be accounted for, and that without having recourse to the harsh ill-sounding names of oppression and avarice. Oppression is often the CONSEQUENCE, but seldom or never the MEANS of riches; and tho' avarice will preserve a man from being necessitously poor, it generally makes him too timorous to be wealthy." Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Pain is stating that they are all born equally, but things like wealth, names, and status are what divides, or separates, them. The punishment for this kind of ranking is tyranny. He also says that the poor never get the chance to become wealthy and that their basically stuck where they are at and that they are too afriad to be wealthy because they know nothing about being rich.

3)"Volumes have been written on the subject of the struggle between England and America. Men of all ranks have embarked in the controversy, from different motives, and with various designs; but all have been ineffectual, and the period of debate is closed. Arms as the last resource decide the contest; the appeal was the choice of the King, and the Continent has accepted the challenge." Common Sense by Thomas Paine

In this exerpt, Paine is explaining that those people before them have been able to fight for their rights and have influenced their country in many ways. This, then, proves that the common people can decide who they wan to rule, but it is going to take some hard work and determination to get those rights.


http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/sense2.htm
http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/sense3.htm
http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/sense4.htm