Independence Day! A happy American ritual on July 4th since 1776, when the colonies walked out of the British Commonwealth. This year, another country is celebrating its own walking out, Britain! As it is good to remember why the colonies parted company with King George – a belief in a people’s right to self determination – it is good to understand the British exit from the European Union. Brexit the Movie is available for free on Youtube and Vimeo, and we hope you will watch it. For fun, here are some quotes from our Founding Fathers and from the people interviewed in Brexit:
"That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." Richard Henry Lee
"We’re being asked to give up the right to govern ourselves. What are we being offered in return that could possibly be worth it?" Narrator of Brexit
"I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states." John Adams
"If I were told I would be stewing grass to feed my family because we left the E.U., I would still do it." Simon Heffer
"The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." Patrick Henry
"Democracy only works if you know who your representatives are." Narrator of Brexit
"There is something very unnatural and odious in a government a thousand leagues off. John Adams
"You should have the power to remove the people who govern you." Claire Fox
"Taxation without representation is tyranny." James Otis
"If I am to pay taxes, I want to be told where the money goes and who spends it, so that if he spends it stupidly, I can throw him out of office." Simon Heffer
Good Independence Day quotes from both sides of the Pond.