pre WW2 Clipper ships

[Surpmil]

You're getting closer to the nubs there ssgross; have a look at the history of central banking in the USA if you want to see where the power issues really lie. As Franklin noted, the revolution wasn't caused by stamps and tea, but by the taking away of the 13 colonies power to produce their own paper money and the depression that followed. Of course the Lords and Commons in London were in turn merely following their orders from what is euphemistically called "The City of London" in taking those powers away, and they've been following orders closely ever since.

Jefferson was certainly a very clever man, but sadly "enlightenment" does nothing to change human nature, though it does seem to foster a persistent delusion to the contrary. Just ask Sally.