Dana Rohrabacher: “271 years ago, American patriot and champion of human liberty, Thomas Paine, was born. His pamphlet ``Common Sense'' is…”

“271 years ago, American patriot and champion of human liberty, Thomas Paine, was born. His pamphlet ``Common Sense'' is credited with convincing the people of what was then the 13 colonies to declare themselves independent and committed to representative government and human liberty. Paine was thus instrumental in bringing about the American Revolution. During that historic life and death struggle with Great Britain, which then was the world's mightiest empire, Paine was called upon by George Washington. At a moment when the tide seemed to be against us, General Washington implored Paine to write something that would bolster the spirits of those Americans supporting the patriots' cause. Yes, there were naysayers and defeatists in those days too, as well as people who were demoralized by the ongoing conflict that was going badly. Yet, had those before us lost faith and given up, the cause of liberty and independence would have been lost. Thomas Paine, at this dark moment of despair, wrote ``The American Crisis.'' It was read aloud to every soldier in Washington's Continental Army, some listening while standing in the snow, freezing, ill equipped and hungry. Yet, they did not give up. They did not give into pessimism. It made all the difference for them and for us. Every generation of Americans has to bear the weight of responsibility that comes with a commitment made to human liberty by our forefathers and -mothers 200 years ago.”