“Common Sense” at 250: A timely reflection on independence
On Jan. 10, 2026, residents from Acton and beyond gathered at the Acton Memorial Library to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Thomas Paine’s groundbreaking pamphlet, “Common Sense.” The meeting room was full, although many had sent their regrets as they set out to join protests. The timing felt almost prophetic. The journey to the library that afternoon took this writer through Bolton Center, past “No ICE” protests, a reminder that the questions Paine wrestled with — about authority, governance, and the rights of citizens — remain relevant today, at the five-year anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol and…
