Gingrich's historical argument rests on a non-existent provision in the Declaration of Independence that he claims was designed to protect non-existent banks from regulation.

Such has been the patient sufferance of the people of these United States of America; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of political decision making and, when necessary, the actual structure and organization of its government.

Tell me, Governor Perry, when you talk about "prayer in school," do you mean all prayer? Would you object to Muslims pulling out prayer rugs and bowing to Mecca? Jews opening their Torah and chanting? A Native American prayer dance, a Sikh kirtan, or a New Age affirmation litany?

We, the people, consistent with our nation's founding principles and in keeping with our sacred duties, in national association declare our independence from the politics of the two major political parties.

Occupy Wall Street indicates the need for a new Declaration of Independence and a new form of government.

Contrary to the popular belief that we are swimming in more immigrants than ever, in 1890 14.8 percent of our population was foreign-born compared to today's 12.5 percent. And the number of illegal immigrants is on the decline.

We need to develop a "Fourth Way," the American Way -- neither left, right, or bipartisan, but a non partisan common sense program for American civic renewal.

It has been apparent from the beginning that most of the Tea Party people, who now have control of the Republican Party, never really understood the Constitution, and certainly not the context in which it was written.

To declare their independence in 1776, colonists had to let go of their belief the King would rescue them. To declare their independence in 2011, Americans have to let go of their belief that the present government will rescue them.

In a national radio address on February 23, 1934, Huey Long unveiled his "Share Our Wealth" plan, a program designed to provide a decent standard of living to all Americans by spreading the nation's wealth among the people.

We talk about rights to privacy regularly but few people can point to what exactly those rights are. More importantly, what guarantees those rights? What guarantees us that our rights will not be infringed upon? The answer is... nothing!

Equality of the soul has become the gold standard of social justice since the Declaration of Independence. It is not based on what is seen with the eyes, but what is understood by wisdom. That is is why it is actually wisdom that was being celebrated yesterday.

The Declaration of Independence was a statement that we intend to run this place the way we want. The Constitution was the blueprint for how we're going to do it.

Whether it is Sarah Palin's butchering of Paul Revere's role in the American Revolution, or Michele Bachmann's mangling of the facts to claim the Founding Fathers tried to abolish slavery, the Tea Party has shown a disdain for knowledge, facts and learning.