Given Today's Enthusiasm for Change, What Might Have Happened Then...

Boy, what a struggle.

I wonder if Adams, Franklin, and Washington had to deal with the kind of thick-headed, self-indulgent people in their time, they would have even bothered.

I can see it now, Adams addressing somebody on the streets of Boston…

“Hey, good fellow, I assume you will be at the meeting this evening to discuss the stamp tax. You will be there, won’t you.”

“Oh, Mr. Adams, I meant to tell you, I have a school meeting tonight and there’s a darn good program coming up on 'Lost'.”

“But don’t you realize the implications of not acting. They will impose tax after tax on us. Don’t you see?”

"Yeah, I see. And it’s a darn shame. But, hey, you know what I mean? I can’t tick off the bosses down here at the dock. And I’ll just cut back a little on my tea consumption.”

“Is that the kind of freedoms you are seeking for yourself, sir?”

“I’m not really ambitious. Just like to be left alone if you know what I mean.”

“How does your wife feel about it?”

“Ah, with the cooking and washing, she doesn’t think much about those kind of things.”

“What if they ask you to go to war to fight England’s battles. Will you sit still for them, too.”

“Well, they’re the government aren’t they? I mean if we’re going to be a good colony, shouldn’t we have some responsibility for doing what they tell us to do?”

“Thank you, good sir. I see it’s useless trying to change your mind…”

“Bye, Mr. Adams.”

Adams cell-phone starts ringing.

“Okay, okay, hold your water. Who is it?"

"It’s George, John, what’s going on. Are we going to do it or not? I'm sitting down here looking at my brand new uniform and twiddling my thumbs.
I’ve got to make some decisions before we plant the peanut crop.”

“Ah, you know, George, I’ve been thinking about it. Nobody seems to care.
Ever since the English shipped over wide-screen digital, I think they’d rather hang
out and complain than actually do something to help their country.”

“But what about all of this democracy stuff?”

“Well, it didn’t work long term for the Greeks either, did it?”

“I guess not!...Okay, I hear you John. I’ll tell the others. I’d rather be playing cribbage anyway! Cheerio!”

“Cheerio!”