“Please allow me to introduce myself . . .” [1]
I was born in Norfolkshire, England, in 1737, and emigrated to America in November 1774, settling in Philadelphia, on the suggestion of Benjamin Franklin, whom I had met in London two months prior.
Some of you may have heard of me. After a brief stint as editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine, in which I advocated for American liberty, I published two pamphlets in 1776 that were my claim to fame; Common Sense, published on January 10, 1776, signed anonymously as “by an Englishman”, and The American Crisis, a series published later that year. Both were instrumental in furthering the cause of the American Revolution. My name is Thomas Paine, widely regarded as one of the twelve founding fathers of the Constitution. [2]
"Who the Author of this production is, is wholly unnecessary to the Public, as the Object for Attention is the Doctrine itself, not the Man. Yet it may not be unnecessary to say, That he is unconnected with any Party, and under no sort of Influence public or private, but the influence of reason and principle." --- Thomas Paine, Common Sense ; Bradford's Third Edition, p.8, Philadelphia, February 14, 1776 Paine published Common Sense anonymously. His true identity, like mine, was not important. I am neither Republican, nor Democrat, but fiercely Independent, as he was. My views are consistent with the Constitution and founding documents crafted by Paine and his contemporaries. I speak for the spirit of Thomas Paine.
If you examine the story of my burial, you will find that my body was exhumed 10 years after my death and returned to England in an effort to build a more prominent memorial. However, the man who undertook that mission, died before the project could be completed, and my remains disappeared.
My restless spirit has been quietly observing my country for 202 years, although I managed to remain calm throughout, until now. Obviously, I am not a resurrected 284 year old corpse. The spirit of Thomas Paine has been revived through my voice and we speak as one.
The so-called “politically correct” movement and the “woke” mob have become so intolerable that I could no longer remain silent. My beloved country had turned in an ugly direction. The task was upon me to remind the people of the values and principles America was founded on, for “THESE are the times that try men’s souls.”[3]
[1] Jagger, M. & Richards, K. ; Sympathy for the Devil, opening line
[2] The twelve founding fathers of The U. S. Constitution:
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
Benjamin Franklin
Alexander Hamilton
Thomas Paine
Richard Henry Lee
John Jay
John Dickinson
James Wilson
William Findley
https://oll.libertyfund.org/group/the-founding-fathers-of-the-u-s-constitution
[3] Paine, Thomas, English born American philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary (1737-1809), quoted from his book, The American Crisis, ed. by Steve Straub, The Federalist Papers Project, The Crisis I, p.5
https://thefederalistpapers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/The-American-Crisis-by-Thomas-Paine-.pdf