Clearing Up Independence Daze

We have two independence days in America. We don't even recognize one. The other we celebrate. The first occurs some time past mid-May. It is regarded as Independence Day as that is the point at which the average American taxpayer has fulfilled his tax obligation to Uncle Sam. That is, almost half the year you work for the government. The other Independence Day we celebrate is the fourth of July. It is enough to throw one into an independence daze.

When King George's new world subjects rebelled against the English throne it was to free themselves of a type of government whose oppressive deeds had reached a boiling point, finally.

Golden cuffs

Today, we Americans celebrate our independence from England and King George. Americans do not live in shackles or under occupation by a foreign government. Independence Day is a day of rest, parades, picnics and family. Others may wonder whether their freedom and independence is a myth, not a reality, only.

Ironically, American freedom and independence which gave rise to free enterprise economy and capitalism has become subservient to it. Americans exchanged their values of freedom and independence in return for a job, then pay raises, then benefits, bonuses, profit-share. These "golden cuffs" became a source of boastful pride among "cuffed" employees with the intended effect that no one in their right mind would want to leave (or could leave?) such job security. Lest anyone forget who calls the shots; it's the company, still.

Reclaim your freedom and independence

When is it time to rise up and reclaim your freedom and independence? What are the indicators it is time for action? Rising food prices? Rising fuel costs? Job outsourcing, colossal debacles (think Enron, Bear Stearns) brought on as the result of greed and incompetence? Is the pot boiling?

Employed, underemployed and unemployed workers take stock of your resources. These resources are your Knowledge, Skills and Experience. You have been endowed by the Creator with these unalienable resources. That's what enabled you and your fellow workers to take your employer to the competitive edge. KSE is the wealth resources, the collateral to utilize in the launch of your independent contractor (IC) service and begin reclaiming your freedom and independence.

A short lesson from history

Learn a short lesson from the colonialists. It was not one, but a mass of individuals who rose up together against King George's excessive taxes for a common cause; a common good. Ultimately, their revolt resulted in their independence and a constitution framed by our Founding Fathers with care and wisdom. Our Founding Fathers did not intend to deny powers of taxation in the new nation, but that such taxation would not be excessive. Today, the call to action and independence is neither to destroy your brother's property nor to shed blood, but to act for the common good of one another. It is a praiseworthy, biblical admonition.

The important point to take from this is the significance and effect of taxes on your family. It is not how much money you earn. It is how much you keep. How well you leverage tax law to your advantage will determine how much or your earnings you keep for your family.

Yearn to be free

Apparel makers, computer systems builders, floor maintenance, landscaping, roofing, automotive, house painting, satellite dish installation, AC installation and repair, Do-It-Yourself (DIY). These individuals, some categorized by the federal government as being between "non to low-skilled" in fact possess a great deal of KSE. They frequent Home Depot, Goodwill, Lowes, Directron, Fry's, Radio Shack, and any place where they can get what they need to do the job whether for self or others for charity or profit. Some, as in the computer (IT) field, networking, sofware engineering, are highly specialized. All engage in a common effort in their respective work environments to perform a job for their employer. They all yearn to be free. Some are just caught up in an independence daze about how to go about it.

A network of United States

Who said you and your fellow workers can't perform as independent contractors those same functions for your own clients as a network?

There are clients including individuals, small business and startups who would welcome a powerful effective, efficient network to keep their costs down, gain the competitive edge on domestic and foreign business. A network may be their best force against domestic companies who now compete with them from their offshore perch. The United States of America is a union of fifty states bound together for their common good. How do we all coexistent and function together? We are, by any other word, a "network" of states bound, by ideology, to live and work together.

How do you and others with your KSE come together to unite for your common good? You network together. As a networker you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself. A network that generates income in three different forms (personal, residual and bonus) is not just a social club or a hang out for buddies. It is a network, not unlike our United States of America, open to all the above, apparel makers, roofers, etc. because it is in your interest that each one succeeds. The success of one is the success of the other. This is free enterprise. This is capitalism.

The pot is boiling. Next layoff think of it as a clearing up of independence daze when you decide to create your own IC-Network for you and your family's future.


We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. . . The Declaration of Independence

This year enjoy and rejoice with thanksgiving to God on the Fourth of July.

Happy Independence Day!