Common Sense, showed what was detrimental to absolute British rule in the colonies and this created a basis for what the king did wrong with the people which was also incorporated into the Declaration. This Paine asserted that independence, which was the American "goal," would allow America to trade freely with other nations for munitions and ordnance and to obtain foreign aid from British enemies. Finally, Paine said, independence would give Americans the opportunity to create a better society, free of totalitarianism, with equal social and economic opportunities for all.