Question

in common sense, paine claims that great britain has lost the authority and the ability to fairly and effectively govern america.
what reasoning does paine use to support this point?

\her trade will always be a protection, and her barrenness of gold and silver secure her from invaders.\

\i have heard it asserted by some, that as america hath flourished under her former connection with great britain, that the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect.\

\this new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of europe.\

\to be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness—there was a time when it was proper, and there is a proper time for it to cease.\

Explanation:

To determine the reasoning Paine uses to support that Great Britain can't fairly/effectively govern America, we analyze each option:

• First option: Talks about a region's (not America - GB relation) trade and protection from invaders. Irrelevant.
• Second option: Discusses the claim that America's prosperity under GB means it needs GB, which is a counter - argument Paine would refute, not his support.
• Third option: Describes America as a refuge for those seeking liberty, not about GB's governing ability.
• Fourth option: Highlights the impracticality of the distance between America and Britain (running thousands of miles for petitions, long wait for answers, etc.), showing that GB can't govern America fairly/effectively due to this logistical issue.

Answer:

D. "To be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness - there was a time when it was proper, and there is a proper time for it to cease."