The night ObamaCare passed, Nancy Pelosi bragged about how the Democrats in Washington were fulfilling the words of the founders as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.  I wholeheartedly agree with her, though undoubtedly for different reasons. 

After reading a thought-provoking column from Human Events author Connie Hair (one in which she highlighted a few of my forthcoming examples), I was inspired to read back through the commonly ignored portion of that pivotal document - the list of grievances against the King of England.  We typically regard this section as a recitation of complaints germane to the late 1700s, not something that's pertinent today.  But as Hair points out, tyranny is timeless.  Look at the words and see for yourself:

"He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures." 

ObamaCare creates 100 new bureaucracies through which all of your personal health decisions, costs, payments, and approval will be facilitated and managed.  Wish to complain?  Take a number and have a seat.

"He has erected a multitude of New Offices..."

The Obama administration has named at least 32 unelected czars...and counting.

"...and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance." 

Currently, the Justice and Education Departments are sending out hordes of new attorneys to begin an aggressive crackdown on what they deem "civil rights violations."  Meanwhile, with the passage of ObamaCare, the IRS is in the process of hiring at least 17,000 new stooges to find ways to fine and penalize people and businesses for their lack of compliance.

"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation." 

Just days after the inauguration, Obama's administration gave signals that it was considering a move to place the United States under the authority of the International Criminal Court (allowing foreign governments to try Americans for what they consider "atrocity crimes").  And let's not forget Obama's determination to subject us all to some asinine international climate legislation.

"For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent."

Despite knowing that three-fourths of Americans opposed it, the Democrats pushed through a healthcare plan that will result in a truckload of new taxes.  And Obama specifically campaigned against many of the very provisions his healthcare bill creates - in other words, even those who voted for him didn't consent to this.

"Obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners..."

Up next for the Democrats in Washington: providing a path to citizenship for foreigners who have broken the laws of immigration and naturalization, thereby punishing those who have patiently and faithfully sought citizenship. 

"He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries."

Okay, maybe not judges.  But how much worse is it that after erasing decades of law that established debtor rights, Obama's administration has made huge portions of the auto and banking industries completely dependent upon his will for their tenure and salary?

"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies..."

Though it hasn't yet been realized, here's Barack Obama from July of 2008: "We cannot continue to rely on our military...We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."

"Altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments. For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever."

From healthcare to education reform, the Democrats in Washington are committed to usurping power that was never intended for the national government, and instead reserved to the states.  By doing so, they fundamentally reshape the nature of our government to one the Constitution does not prescribe.

"In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury."

Could there be more perfect words to describe the feelings of millions of angry constituents who wrote, called, faxed, and begged their Congressmen to oppose ObamaCare?

The effort towards authoritarian control is timeless.  Does this mean it's time for armed resistance?  Of course not.  But it does mean that Americans should wisely recognize the uncomfortable reality that our government is increasingly coming to resemble not the kind our Founders established, but the one they pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to war against.