How would it have looked like, should it have happened today…

On July the 4th 1776, thirteen colonies in the Northern America congregated in the second Continetal Congress have unanimously adopted what we now call  The Declaration of Independence. The manu propria original does not longer exist. The attached image is of a document copied by a calligraph on a parchment later signed by the members of the Congress.

In August 1776, in London, The Gentleman’s Magazine issues the Declaration for the first time in Europe. The reaction of the British Crown is widely known from the history. Should it have happened today, it would have look like this:

The Court of King George III London, England
July 10, 1776
Mr. Thomas Jefferson c/o The Continental Congress Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dear Mr. Jefferson:
We have read your “Declaration of Independence” with great interest. Certainly, it represents a considerable undertaking, and many of your statements do merit serious consideration. Unfortunately, the Declaration as a whole fails to meet recently adopted specifications for proposals to the Crown, so we must return the document to you for further refinement. The questions which follow might assist you in your process of revision:

1. In your opening paragraph you use the phrase “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God.” What are these laws? In what way are they the criteria on which you base your central arguments? Please document with citations from the recent literature.

2. In the same paragraph you refer to the “opinions of mankind.” Whose polling data are you using? Without specific evidence, it seems to us the “opinions of mankind” are a matter of opinion.

3. You hold certain truths to be “self-evident.” Could you please elaborate. If they are as evident as you claim then it should not be difficult for you to locate the appropriate supporting statistics.

4. “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” seem to be the goals of your proposal. These are not measurable goals. If you were to say that “among these is the ability to sustain an average life expectancy in six of the 13 colonies of at last 55 years, and to enable newspapers in the colonies to print news without outside interference, and to raise the average income of the colonists by 10 percent in the next 10 years,” these could be measurable goals. Please clarify.

5. You state that “Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government….” Have you weighed this assertion against all the alternatives? What are the trade-off considerations?

6. Your description of the existing situation is quite extensive. Such a long list of grievances should precede the statement of goals, not follow it. Your problem statement needs improvement.

7. Your strategy for achieving your goal is not developed at all. You state that the colonies “ought to be Free and Independent States,” and that they are “Absolved from All Allegiance to the British Crown.” Who or what must change to achieve this objective? In what way must they change? What specific steps will you take to overcome the resistance? How long will it take? We have found that a little foresight in these areas helps to prevent careless errors later on. How cost-effective are your strategies?

8. Who among the list of signatories will be responsible for implementing your strategy? Who conceived it? Who provided the theoretical research? Who will constitute the advisory committee? Please submit an organization chart and vitas of the principal investigators.

9. You must include an evaluation design. We have been requiring this since Queen Anne’s War.

10. What impact will your problem have? Your failure to include any assessment of this inspires little confidence in the long-range prospects of your undertaking.

11. Please submit a PERT diagram, an activity chart, itemized budget, and manpower utilization matrix.

We hope that these comments prove useful in revising your “Declaration of Independence.” We welcome the submission of your revised proposal. Our due date for unsolicited proposals is July 31, 1776. Ten copies with original signatures will be required.

Sincerely,
Management Analyst to the British Crown

[credits]

Official 2008 Bilderberg Participants’ List

AUT Bronner, Oscar Publisher and Editor, Der Standard
AUT Ederer, Brigitte CEO, Siemens AG Österreich
AUT Leitner, Wolfgang CEO, Andritz AG
AUT Scholten, Rudolf Member of the Board of Executive Directors, Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG
BEL Huyghebaert, Jan Chairman of the Board of Directors, KBC Group
BEL Philippe, H.R.H. Prince
CAN Adams, John Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the Communications Security Establishment Canada
CAN Brodie, Ian Chief of Staff, Prime Minister’s Office
CAN Clark, Edmund President and CEO, TD Bank Financial Group
CAN Desmarais, Jr., Paul Chairman and co-CEO, Power Corporation of Canada
CAN Edwards, N. Murray Vice Chairman, Candian Natural Resources Limited
CAN Martin, Roger Dean, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
CAN McKenna, Frank Deputy Chair, TD Bank Financial Group
CAN Prichard, J. Robert S. President and CEO, Torstar Corporation
CAN Reisman, Heather M. Chair and CEO, Indigo Books & Music Inc.
CHE Forstmoser, Peter Professor for Civil, Corporation and Capital Markets Law, University of Zürich
CHE Spillmann, Markus Editor-in-Chief and Head Managing Board, Neue Zürcher Zeitung AG
CHE Vasella, Daniel L. Chairman and CEO, Novartis AG
CZE Schwarzenberg, Karel Minister of Foreign Affairs
DEU Ackermann, Josef Chairman of the Management Board and the Group Executive Committee, Deutsche Bank AG
DEU Fischer, Joschka Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
DEU Ischinger, Wolfgang Former Ambassador to the UK and US
DEU Klaeden, Eckart von Foreign Policy Spokesman, CDU/CSU
DEU Nass, Matthias Deputy Editor, Die Zeit
DEU Perthes, Volker Director, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik
DNK Bosse, Stine CEO, TrygVesta
DNK Eldrup, Anders President, DONG A/S
DNK Rose, Flemming Editor, Jyllands Posten
DNK Schur, Fritz H. Fritz Schur Gruppen
ESP Cebrián, Juan Luis CEO, PRISA
ESP León Gross, Bernardino Secretary General, Office of the Prime Minister
ESP Rodriguez Inciarte, Matias Executive Vice Chairman, Grupo Santander
ESP Spain, H.M. the Queen of
FIN Blåfield, Antti Senior Editorial Writer, Helsingin Sanomat
FIN Honkapohja, Seppo Member of the Board, Bank of Finland
FIN Ollila, Jorma Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell plc
FIN Väyrynen, Raimo Director, The Finnish Institute of International Affairs
FRA Baverez, Nicolas Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
FRA Castries, Henri de Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, AXA
FRA Collomb, Bertrand Honorary Chairman, Lafarge
FRA Jouyet, Jean-Pierre Minister of European Affairs
FRA Kodmani, Bassma Director, Arab Reform Initiative
FRA Margerie, Christophe de CEO, Total
FRA Montbrial, Thierry de President, French Institute for International Relations
FRA Ockrent, Christine CEO, French television and radio world service
FRA Pérol, François Deputy General Secretary in charge of Economic Affairs
FRA Valls, Manuel Member of Parliament
FRA Védrine, Hubert Hubert Védrine Conseil
GBR Clarke, Kenneth Member of Parliament
GBR Kerr, John Member, House of Lords; Deputy Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell plc.
GBR McKillop, Tom Chairman, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group
GBR Osborne, George Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
GBR Taylor, J. Martin Chairman, Syngenta International AG
GRC Alogoskoufis, George Minister of Economy and Finance
GRC Diamantopoulou, Anna Member of Parliament
GRC Papahelas, Alexis Journalist, Kathimerini
GRC Papalexopoulos, Dimitris CEO, Titan Cement Co. S.A.
GRC Varvitsiotis, Thomas Co-Founder and President, V + O Communication
HUN Martonyi, János Professor of International Trade Law; Partner, Baker & McKenzie; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
INT Almunia, Joaquín Commissioner, European Commission
INT Hoop Scheffer, Jaap G. de Secretary General, NATO
INT Kroes, Neelie Commissioner, European Commission
INT Mandelson, Peter Commissioner, European Commission
INT McCreevy, Charlie Commissioner, European Commission
INT Trichet, Jean-Claude President, European Central Bank
INT Zoellick, Robert B. President, The World Bank Group
IRL Gallagher, Paul Attorney General
IRL Gleeson, Dermot Chairman, AIB Group
ITA Bernabè, Franco CEO, Telecom Italia Spa
ITA Draghi, Mario Governor, Banca d’Italia
ITA Elkann, John Vice Chairman, Fiat S.p.A.
ITA Monti, Mario President, Universita Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
ITA Padoa-Schioppa, Tommaso Former Minister of Finance; President of Notre Europe
NLD Balkenende, Jan Peter Prime Minister
NLD Goddijn, Harold CEO, TomTom
NLD Halberstadt, Victor Professor of Economics, Leiden University; Former Honorary Secretary General of Bilderberg Meetings
NLD Netherlands, H.M. the Queen of the
NLD Orange, H.R.H. the Prince of
NLD Timmermans, Frans Minister of European Affairs
NOR Clemet, Kristin Managing Director, Civita
NOR Myklebust, Egil Former Chairman of the Board of Directors SAS, Norsk Hydro ASA
NOR Vollebaek, Knut High Commissioner on National Minorities, OSCE
POL Kwasniewski, Aleksander Former President
PRT Balsemão, Francisco Pinto Chairman and CEO, IMPRESA, S.G.P.S.; Former Prime Minister
PRT Costa, António Mayor of Lisbon
PRT Rio, Rui Mayor of Porto
RUS Trenin, Dmitri V. Deputy Director and Senior Associate, Carnegie Moscow Center
SWE Bildt, Carl Minister of Foreign Affairs
SWE Johnstone, Tom President and CEO, AB SKF
SWE Olofsson, Maud Minister of Enterprise and Energy; Deputy Prime Minister
SWE Wallenberg, Jacob Chairman, Investor AB
TUR Babacan, Ali Minister of Foreign Affairs
TUR Gögüs, Zeynep Journalist; Founder, EurActiv.com.tr
TUR Koç, Mustafa Chairman, Koç Holding A.S.
TUR Öztrak, Faik Member of Parliament
TUR Sahenk, Ferit Chairman, Dogus Holding A.S.
USA Ajami, Fouad Director, Middle East Studies Program, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University
USA Alexander, Keith B. Director, National Security Agency
USA Altman, Roger C. Chairman, Evercore Partners Inc.
USA Bernanke, Ben S. Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System
USA Collins, Timothy C. Senior Managing Director and CEO, Ripplewood Holdings, LLC
USA Crocker, Chester A. James R. Schlesinger Professor of Strategic Studies
USA Daschle, Thomas A. Former US Senator and Senate Majority Leader
USA Donilon, Thomas E. Partner, O’Melveny & Myers
USA Farah, Martha J. Director, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience; Walter H. Annenberg Professor in the Natural Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
USA Feldstein, Martin S. President and CEO, National Bureau of Economic Research
USA Ford, Jr., Harold E. Vice Chairman, Merill Lynch & Co., Inc.
USA Geithner, Timothy F. President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
USA Gigot, Paul Editorial Page Editor, The Wall Street Journal
USA Graham, Donald E. Chairman and CEO, The Washington Post Company
USA Holbrooke, Richard C. Vice Chairman, Perseus, LLC
USA Hubbard, Allan B. Chairman, E & A Industries, Inc.
USA Jacobs, Kenneth Deputy Chairman, Head of Lazard U.S., Lazard Frères & Co. LLC
USA Johnson, James A. Vice Chairman, Perseus, LLC (Obama’s man tasked with selecting his running mate)
USA Jordan, Jr., Vernon E. Senior Managing Director, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC
USA Kissinger, Henry A. Chairman, Kissinger Associates, Inc.
USA Kleinfeld, Klaus President and COO, Alcoa
USA Kravis, Henry R. Founding Partner, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
USA Kravis, Marie-Josée Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute, Inc.
USA Mathews, Jessica T. President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
USA McDonough, William J. Vice Chairman and Special Advisor to the Chairman, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
USA Mundie, Craig J. Chief Research and Strategy Officer, Microsoft Corporation
USA Paulson, Jr., Henry M. Secretary of the Treasury
USA Pearl, Frank H. Chairman and CEO, Perseus, LLC
USA Perle, Richard N. Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
USA Rice, Condoleezza Secretary of State
USA Rockefeller, David Former Chairman, Chase Manhattan Bank
USA Rose, Charlie Producer, Rose Communications
USA Ross, Dennis B. Counselor and Ziegler Distinguished Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
USA Rubin, Barnett R. Director of Studies and Senior Fellow, Center for International Cooperation, New York University
USA Sanford, Mark Governor of South Carolina
USA Schmidt, Eric Chairman of the Executive Committee and CEO, Google
USA Sebelius, Kathleen Governor of Kansas
USA Shultz, George P. Thomas W. and Susan B. Ford Distinguished Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
USA Summers, Lawrence H. Charles W. Eliot Professor, Harvard University
USA Thiel, Peter A. President, Clarium Capital Management, LLC
USA Vakil, Sanam Assistant Professor of Middle East Studies, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
USA Weber, J. Vin CEO, Clark & Weinstock
USA Wolfensohn, James D. Chairman, Wolfensohn & Company, LLC
USA Wolfowitz, Paul Visiting Scholar, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research

Rapporteurs

GBR Bredow, Vendeline von Business Correspondent, The Economist
GBR Wooldridge, Adrian D. Foreign Correspondent, The Economist

AUT Austria, BEL Belgium, CAN Canada, CHE Switzerland, CZE Czech Republic, DEU Germany, DNK Denmark, ESP Spain, FIN Finland, FRA France, GBR Great Britain, GRC Greece, HUN Hungary, INT International, IRL Ireland, ITA Italy, NLD Netherlands, NOR Norway, POL Poland, PRT Portugal
RUS Russia, SWE Sweden, TUR Turkey, USA United States of America