What is to come of the middle class? Both Presidential candidates are beginning to talk about needing to lift us up. Why so sudden? Could it be that they need to gear their language up to try and make us think they are being truthful about helping us, or staying out of our way so we can help ourselves?

It is time for the middle class to declare its independence from career politicians and to elect new leaders who are not professional party people. Let’s get our debt paid off and fund the commitments we have made to the public by setting a realistic and functional tax rate. Get rid of every legislator who irresponsibly raises our taxes and also get rid of those who sign the Grover Norquist pledge to not raise taxes ever. Congress is supposed to represent us and not align itself so deeply with political parties that they ignore our needs!

I thought it would be interesting to offer up a declaration of independence for the middle class based on the original document. In 1776 Jefferson captured the sentiments that were shared by a large percentage of the population. It is amazing how much of the original language can stay intact and apply to our “two-party-run government” today. That should tell us something.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to remind itself of its past, the sacrifices of their forefathers, soldiers, and citizens, connect with her history, and take back control of the direction of her future; it is wholesome and right for those people to state for good order the reason for such reminders.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women, while holding different responsibilities to society and Country, are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, which among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, a Republican Government with Democratic qualities was instituted among Americans, deriving Its powers from the consent of the governed. This government, having been strained and tested by a great civil war, and eventually, coming through trials ready to stitch a new fabric. Developing a moral and institutional strength that came through conquering industry, overcoming public racism, two great wars, and many other trials has evolved into a long-standing world power.

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