Life of a Continental Soldier for 2026
Imagine being a young man from an average American family in 1776. You have been trained to hew lumber from the forests. Hard, back-breaking work, but just enough skill to not be so easily replaced. Your wages provide a basic living, but not much else. Certainly, there is no going to political conventions to build a new nation. Your family cannot afford you to take the time off work.
War against Britain has been declared. Do you take part in the rebellion or not?
Undoubtedly, there were legitimate concerns about governance from Britain. But were these concerns big enough to risk a new way? Would a hewer of wood under American rule be better off than a hewer of wood under British rule?
Remember, you were not well educated. You were not knowledgeable in the treatises of Locke, de Montesquieu, Rosseau, Hobbes, and other philosophers. You were not skilled in the arts of debate and constitutional writing. You had only the rhetoric from both sides to make your decision.
The rich men from the American colonies were using “freedom and liberty” to urge you to fight for them. Thomas Paine wrote a book called Common Sense.
The rich men from the British side were using tradition and strength to convince you to fight for them. They threw in a little fear as well.
So which side do you join?
It’s hard to determine how the competing rhetoric would sway any one individual. But the statistics say one third of Americans sided with the Revolution and one-third sided with the British. The other third would side with the victor of the war — and hoped for a short war.
For the young men who joined the Continental Army, they faced all sorts of hardship:
1) terrible living conditions,
2) bad weather,
3) lots of marching,
4) much boredom, and then
5) a few hours in battle, risking limb and life.
According to the PBS documentary The American Revolution, the first cadre of Continental soldiers were the true believers. Yet many, when asked, did not sign up for a second year of service. The second and subsequent cadres were more of economic refugees. Because of the war, these young men had trouble finding civilian work. Soldiering was a way to avoid destitution.
The success of the American Revolution came from three main sources. The leadership of George Washington is well acknowledged. The financial and military help from France is begrudgingly acknowledged. But make no mistake that the sacrifices of the lower American classes filling the military ranks was crucial. These soldiers and seamen are remembered as Patriots.
Yet this new country would not give those soldiers the right to vote. This democratic privilege came slowly to this new nation, with North Carolina being the last state to remove property as a criterion to vote in 1856. And women and people of color came later.
The Year is 2026
Two hundred and fifty years have passed since the Declaration of Independence. Whether we want to admit it or not, another revolution is brewing. Again, the American population are divided into thirds.
One-third wants a monarchy that espouses the values of this one-third. It has condoned its leaders for flouting of laws and political norms, just like the leaders of the first American Revolution flouted British rule. This one-third is somewhat well armed, and many of its members are only waiting to be called into the new “Continental Army.” Maybe ICE will be that new army.
One-third favors the status quo, which is the current two-party hegemony. While this demographic is espousing democracy, it is hoping its favorite of the two parties will be ruling for a long time. With no real competition for power, this party is unlikely to reform. I would call this feudalism rather than democracy.
And one-third does not care. It had the opportunity to firmly denounce either side in the elections of 2016, 2020, and 2024. But chose not to do so. If it is motivated to make a choice, that motivation will likely disappear in the next election.
Another kind of revolution
Yes, the previous section did paint the American political left in a bad light. If this 2026 demographic were plunked into 1776, it would side with the known way, which is continued British rule.
Even though today’s known way has obvious flaws, today’s Loyalists believe the current way can be fixed. Many of the founding fathers also thought the British rule could be fixed. It took them a few years to realize repairs were not coming.
Sorry, I have not seen one ounce of revolutionary spirit in Medium’s political writers. Nothing tells me they would not take on the role of a Continental soldier, even if they were strong, young men.
For seven years, I have been offering political readers on Medium their own revolution. Tiered Democratic Governance has no political parties. Its unique elections will find capable, trustworthy people to serve in government. Its culture makes decisions on consultation, not conflict.
The best part about the TDG is that it can be built without a violent revolution. But there is a price to be paid — in advance. Here is that price:
1) Study the TDG concept. It will take about 10 hours of reading to get a basic understanding.
2) Be like the formal and informal distributors of Common Sense. This book did not get traction solely by the efforts of its author.
3) In your real-life political conversations or social media posts, you can mention “There is a Dave from Canada with new ideas.”
4) Find three neighbors willing to write your own local TDG constitution. Spend 10 hours a month on this project.
5) See where this TDG then goes! Many of you will like this work! If you only start. . .
Are not these tasks much easier than being a Continental soldier?
And would not your descendants would consider you as a true Revolutionary? Teaching the entire world of a better democracy?
Published on Medium 2026
The TDG District Representative
