Thomas Paine is known for his advocacy for American independence and is one of the most influential figures of the American Revolutionary War. One of the key themes in his writing is his criticism of the geographical distance between Great Britain and the American colonies, which he sees as a major obstacle to their governance by the British government. He argues that the distance makes it difficult for the government to effectively govern the colonies and that it is inherently unjust and impractical. He also argues that the distance makes it difficult for the British government to properly understand the needs and concerns of the American people, and that this lack of understanding has led to many of the grievances that ultimately led to the American Revolution.