Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Thomas Paine is a household name in America, where he is celebrated as one of the founding fathers and the author of Common Sense, the pamphlet that galvanized the colonists to rebel against Britain in 1776. But he is more than just a historical figure. He is also a visionary thinker and a source of inspiration for the modern USA, which still strives to uphold the ideals and values that he championed.
Paine was a pioneer of American democracy, who believed that the people had the right and the duty to govern themselves, without the interference of kings, aristocrats, or priests. He argued that government should be based on the consent of the governed, and that it should protect the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. He also advocated for a federal system that would balance the powers of the states and the national government, and a written constitution that would limit the authority of the rulers and safeguard the freedoms of the citizens.
Paine was also a champion of American diversity, who welcomed immigrants, refugees, and minorities as part of the American family. He opposed slavery, racism, and discrimination, and called for the abolition of the slave trade and the emancipation of the enslaved. He also supported the rights of women, Native Americans, and religious dissenters, and argued for a universal system of education, social security, and progressive taxation. He envisioned an America that would be a melting pot of cultures, religions, and ideas, and a beacon of hope and opportunity for the world.
Paine was also a catalyst of American innovation, who encouraged scientific inquiry, technological advancement, and creative expression. He was a self-taught polymath, who had interests and expertise in various fields, such as engineering, astronomy, agriculture, and linguistics. He invented a smokeless candle, an iron bridge, and a hollow mast for ships. He also proposed a single global currency, a decimal system of measurement, and a phonetic alphabet. He was a patron of the arts, who supported the works of painters, poets, and musicians. He envisioned an America that would be a leader in science, industry, and culture, and a hub of discovery and invention.
Thomas Paine’s legacy is evident in the principles and values of the modern USA, which is a democratic, diverse, and innovative nation. His writings are still widely read and studied, and his ideas are still relevant and inspiring for the current and future generations. He is, in the words of President Barack Obama, “the voice of a young nation, full of optimism and idealism, who gave us our creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”
