Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs

    Thomas Pain's "Common Sense" can be seen as a difficult text to chew through, if you are unaccustomed to the language and turn of phrase, but if you give it the proper attention it deserve, the message shines through clearly. In this excerpt "Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs" from his text "Common Sense" Mr. Paine gives a well thought out explanation of all the reasons final separations from Great Britain is necessary. He lists many reasons as to why people who were still calling for reconciliation need to open their eyes as to the truth of how much staying tied to the monarchy would actually hinder the budding country of America. Although his text is  a personal one, his argument is more logical and less of the fiery emotional nature than the colleagues of his day (such as Patrick Henry) was.

    This entire text appeals to the logos of the reader. This excerpt spells out simple, yet effective examples as to why it is necessary to split with Britain as soon as possible, even if it means taking up arms.  Mr. Paine explains that fiscally and politically it is more advantageous to have relations with Europe as an entitty separate from Britain rather than as a "child" of the country. To be looped in with Britain forces America to stick with them in the bad times as well as the good. If Europe should take up arms against Britain, America would be forced to comply - and then be ostracized from European markets. Also, he argues, Britain will always be there to trade with, regardless. The author appeals to the pathos of the reader when he speaks of Mans' fear of Independence. He reminds them the only reason they are fearful is because this is a completely new path. If the colonists are brave, the prize will be much greater than continuing with the fallacy of reconciliation. He also reminds people that America is not only made up of Englishmen, but a brotherhood of the   entire European companies. This, he points out is another reason that America should separate; so that his brotherhood from other countries can retain their ancestry as well as gain this new country-hood. The ethos of this seems to come through showing Mr. Paine as a man who has tolerated all he can from the monarchy, and in respects his countrymen who are bent on the failings of reconciliation. He seems a bit of a patient man who is trying to convincingly get his point a cross in a way that the every-man can understand.

    This document (as well as the entire body of "Common Sense)" I feel is still very historically significant as well as relevant. This document, to me, stands out from many of the speeches and texts from the Revolutionary/Pre-Revolutionary period in that it is not so much filled with flowery, fiery phraseology. Instead, it is an organized, logical yet persuasive body of work that targets a wide range of readers. It addresses economy, politics, loyalty, brotherhood among other things and it very much gets you to think "outside the box".

   I very much agree with the Thomas Paine's "Common Sense". I think he did a wonderful job of spelling out his reasoning for separation, and had I been one of the Patriots, I believe I would have rallied to his cause. You can really sense his passion for the subject at hand, and still he makes very studied, sound reasoning for the Patriotic agenda.