Common Sense 2.0 related our current political crisis to that of 1775-76 when Thomas Paine recommended independence from Britain in the original Common Sense. That independence was declared on July 4, 1776. Included in that declaration were mandates for America being an independent and democratic nation that assured citizens of the rights to Equality, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. While our country became independent, the attainment of full democracy and assurance of rights has seriously fallen short. The current atmosphere imposes an increasing threat to both democracy and American rights. Common Sense 2.0 recommends that we once more declare independence, this time from those forces that are attacking our democracy and rights. That declaration should be made on July 4, 2026, our country’s 250th anniversary.