Ignorance is slavery. There are examples all throughout our society of how ignorance and propaganda is used to control people.

Anyone who dares to seek truth in history will be surprised to find out the amount of lies that they know to be facts.

Many of us remember the controversy over religious societies in Texas marrying off young girls. We are products of our environments. We all find security and self definition by what we know. Being ripped out of this place is not merely scary, it is downright traumatic. This is one of the reasons why Neo's red pill/blue pill decision in The Matrix is one of my favorite movie scenes of all time.

I am sure most of you reading this feel quite comfortable in your knowledge of history. We are fools.

Let me give you a simple example. Ask any average American citizen when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and they will tell you July 4th, 1776. Wrong. Independence was actually declared on July 2nd with what is known as the Lee Resolution. The final wording of a declaration for independence was agreed upon on July 4th.

• July 19 - Congress ordered the Declaration of Independence engrossed (officially inscribed) and signed by members.
• August 2 - The engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence was signed by most of the delegates. Elbridge Gerry, Oliver Wolcott, Lewis Morris, Thomas McKean, and Matthew Thornton all signed on a later date.

There is an ongoing debate among historians as to whether or not George Washington was the first President of the United States, or if John Hanson was the first official President. I understand the reasons for such a debate, but there is no actual debate about the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Amidst the “bailout” debacle going on in Washington, DC, the daily news cycle uses the terms Federal Reserve and Treasury Department. What do you know about the Federal Reserve? There is nothing “federal” about the Federal Reserve, and there is no “reserving” associated it with this group either; unless you consider that they reserve the right to access your (federal) money. Who gave them this “right?” The Federal Reserve is actually a group of private banks. We pay them about half a Billion dollars a year just to print our money.

Here are a few more facts for you. “Civil Rights” has nothing to do with sexism and discrimination, but everything to do with ideology. The ACLU was created for the sole purpose of promoting communism; it was literally the stated goal of co-founder Roger Baldwin. The American Historical Association was created after the prominent historians of that time (late 1800’s) refused to alter (or rewrite) history.

Why is it that Americans are so lazy and apathetic towards the daily drum of propaganda they are fed? I realize history can be a bore, but where is the outrage over the history that is taught to us being based on lies? I cannot imagine that if our local schools were teaching our children that 2 and 2 equals 9 that this would be okay with us.

It’s not that tough to teach truth folks. I visited a class of 3rd graders on Friday, November 14th to talk to them about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This group of eight and nine year olds was astounding! Just to set the table correctly, this class was in a public school, with a strong minority population; this was not in a high class, affluent neighborhood. These children were bright, energetic, and eager to learn.

When I returned the following Friday to talk to them about the real story of Thanksgiving, I took a few moments to ask them what they remembered from the week before. They remembered everything. They remembered everything I taught them. In fact, they and their teacher were excited to share with me about a movie they had watched together earlier that very day. The movie mentioned that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th of 1776. They couldn’t wait to tell me that they knew better. They knew different. They knew the truth.
I realize that the day the Declaration was signed is not nearly as significant as to why it was signed, but why teach falsehoods at all? Why are we so lazy about what our children and we are being taught as truth and fact? In order to make good decisions, we must have the ability to make informed decisions. We are the government. We are a country governed by the people, not a people governed by elitists; or are we?

Would you knowingly and purposefully give up your right to vote and participate in your own governing? Would you willingly give up your freedom for dictatorship? Our elected officials do not serve the will of the people. They do not uphold their oath of office.

The oath says nothing about providing for the needs and wants of the poor, the underclass, business owners, or minorities. It is a simple oath. They have one task they swear to. They swear “to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America….against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” This oath is much like the oath taken by those who serve in our military. Yet, the dirty little secret is that much of what they do in Washington, DC has nothing to do with that oath.

I call Washington, DC everyday (every working, weekday- and sometimes on weekends as well, depending on what is going on up there). There is only one office that has ever responded kindly when I mention the Constitution. You would be appalled at the pure and utter contempt they have at the mere mention of the document. Those who are not disgusted are completely ignorant.

I once was told by a Senator’s staffer that bills are not allowed to even be introduced unless they are Constitutional. The poor gal obviously has no idea why there is even a need for the Supreme Court of the United States. I once asked if there was anyone in the office that had read the Constitution. “Are you insinuating we haven’t?” they asked. I replied, “No. I am not insinuating anything. I am asking.” “Well, none of us in the office are Constitutional attorneys,” was the reply.

The third graders I talked to know better than these staffers. I told them something no one had ever told them before. The Constitution was not written for politicians or attorneys. It was written for you. It takes all of an eighth grade education to be able to read the Constitution. Some of the Amendments to the Constitution are merely one sentence. That’s it, just one sentence.

How can we possibly protect our rights if we don’t even believe we have the ability to read the Constitution and understand what our rights are? Do yourself a favor. No matter what party you might affiliate yourself with, or hold allegiance to; don’t live in ignorance. In order to truly abolish slavery in this country, stomp out ignorance. Start with yourself and then teach what you learn to others.

Ignorance is slavery.