Declaration of Independence vs. Constitution: Liberty Toastmasters Explore America’s Founding Documents

On December 5, 2023, Kim Monson welcomes Liberty Toastmasters members Rick Rome, Greg Morrissey, Terri Goon, Bill Federer, and Carol Baker to examine the vital connection between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. In hour two, retired Air Force Colonel Bill Rutledge shares his personal journey navigating VA cemetery benefits for veterans and their families.

Thomas Paine Ignited the Revolution

Start listening at 48:57 – Hour 1

Bill Federer provides crucial historical context about the transformation from colonial reconciliation to revolution. At the time of Lexington and Concord, he explains, most colonists still wanted reconciliation with Britain, as evidenced by the Olive Branch Petition sent to King George III in July 1775.

Everything changed when Thomas Paine published Common Sense in early 1776. The pamphlet became a massive bestseller, was copied by other printers, read aloud in churches, and shared throughout the colonies. It challenged the prevailing idea that established government is the source of rights and created a new public sentiment summarized in three words: “common sense independence.” Federer notes that the original Constitution was much closer to the Declaration’s philosophy than what has developed over the past century.

“The Constitution can best be understood as an effort to implement the self-rule philosophy of the Declaration.”

Bill Federer, Historian

Founding Grievances Still Resonate Today

Start listening at 32:22 – Hour 1

Rick Rome, President of Liberty Toastmasters South, draws striking parallels between King George III’s abuses enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and modern government overreach. Rome highlights how grievances against the IRS weaponization, open border policies, and the treatment of January 6th defendants echo the colonists’ complaints against tyranny.

Rome emphasizes that the founders risked everything to secure liberty, and current generations bear the same responsibility. His analysis demonstrates how the Declaration’s complaints about quartering troops, obstructing justice, and imposing taxes without consent find disturbing modern equivalents.

“I think it’s incumbent on us and our generation to do the work to keep our republic.”

Rick Rome, President, Liberty Toastmasters South

Six Men Who Signed Both Documents

Start listening at 35:00 – Hour 1

Greg Morrissey reveals fascinating historical facts about the relationship between America’s two founding documents. Despite being written just 11 years apart, only six men signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution: George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson.

Morrissey notes that Thomas Jefferson was not even present for the Constitutional Convention, serving as American minister to France in 1787. The Constitution, he explains, emerged from the Declaration’s philosophical foundation, transforming the ideals of independence into a practical framework for self-governance.

“Everyone who went to class should know your history, know how this all came about, because just like Rick Rome said, we cannot let it go. We have to keep it.”

Greg Morrissey, Liberty Toastmasters

Local Victory Against Tax Increases

Start listening at 38:36 – Hour 1

Terri Goon of Liberty Toastmasters North demonstrates how citizens can apply constitutional principles to local politics. Goon ran for mayor of Longmont to oppose three new tax ballot measures pushed by the city council, using her campaign platform to educate voters about fiscal responsibility.

Though she didn’t win the mayoral race, Goon achieved her primary objective: all three tax measures were defeated at the ballot box. She emphasizes that the Declaration’s principles about tyranny and civic duty remain directly applicable to modern local governance, particularly when governments pursue spending on amenities during times of rising property taxes.

“And why do you think I should pay for your priorities when I’ve got my very own priorities that I want to pay for?”

Terri Goon, Liberty Toastmasters North

Constitutional Limits Address Royal Abuses

Start listening at 53:05 – Hour 1

Carol Baker shares her discovery that the Constitution directly addresses each abuse and usurpation listed in the Declaration of Independence. She first learned about these grievances at a Toastmasters meeting, information that had escaped her high school history education.

After joining a 12-week video series studying the Constitution, Baker came to understand how the founders recognized the need for government while carefully limiting its powers to prevent the tyranny they had experienced under King George III.

“Basically, the Constitution addresses each of those abuses and usurpations. They recognized we need some sort of government, but we’re going to put a limit on these things so we can never let that happen again.”

Carol Baker, Liberty Toastmasters

Navigating VA Cemetery Benefits

Start listening at 73:57 – Hour 2

Retired Air Force Colonel Bill Rutledge, 95 years young, shares his personal journey navigating VA cemetery benefits after his wife Virginia passed from COVID in 2021. Like many families during the pandemic, Rutledge faced the challenge of deferred memorial services, with Virginia’s cremated remains sitting on a shelf for two and a half years.

Rutledge’s exploration of veteran cemetery options revealed a well-organized system that many eligible families don’t know about. The VA operates 155 national cemeteries, and eligibility can be established through a single phone call to 1-800-535-1117. Importantly, Rutledge dispels the misconception that veterans must predecease their spouses for burial eligibility; spouses can be interred first, with the veteran making a commitment to join them later.

At Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, the service cost nothing. No purchase of land, plots, or headstones is required. Rutledge was deeply impressed by the system’s organization, noting that his wife’s interment was handled with grace and class. The one exception is Arlington National Cemetery, which has specific administrative procedures for military members and immediate families.

“You go to Fort Logan, for example, it doesn’t cost anything, zero. You’re not having to buy land or a plot or a cemetery lot. All of these things are done with grace and speed.”

Colonel Bill Rutledge, USAF (Ret.)