What relationship should exist between Britain and the colonies?

Option 1

A relationship of civil obedience should exist between Britain and the colonies. Great Britain is the "mother country", and therefore should have the final say in all decisions. The American colonies are like unruly children, and therefore need to be disciplined. Great Britain allows the colonies the freedom to do many things, given that they stay under the loose parameters defined by the mother country. British citizens that live in the American colonies pay less taxes then people who live in the mother country. The British also used their own resources to protect the American colonists and defeat the French in the French and Indian War, allowing Americans more freedom and peace of mind. Under Britain's watchful care and rule, the American colonies have prospered. Still, some Americans are not satisfied. They forget that they are citizens of the Britain, and that the British government, including Parliament have every right to pass and enforce laws in the colonies, as citizens should obey the laws of the country they have citizenship to. We should exist as loyal subjects to Great Britain and feel thankful for the rights and status we have as British citizens.  

Option 2

Britain and the colonies should co-exist in peace. Britain should have the power to tax and pass laws on the colonies because it is a settlement owned by Britain. Britain should have the authority over the colonies to help protect America. The colonies should contribute to the cause of Britain's army, which has protected America from the French and Indian war. Instead of America fueling all their hatred towards spending a little money towards the British, they should direct their attention elsewhere, such as towards the French or the Indians, who had first started the war. The colonies, however, should have a right to make laws that would govern them, but should realize that all their respect must lie with Britain. Britain would be the correspondence between America and unfamiliar countries to help lead it's progress. Even though America should have a voice in parliment, it must protect the British's ideas and innovations, and let Britain lead the way.

Option 3

As commonly referred to, the "mother country" should be just that -- a "parent" to the American colonies. Although a parent may very well dictate exactly what his/her child(ren) may do, this is certainly not reasonable. Ideally, Britain should establish tolerable rules and limitations for the colonies' protection and benefit. Within the bounds of these borders, the colonies have the right to do as they please (as long as they do not harm Britain physically or economically/commercially, as stated earlier in another question). It is important for the colonies to lessen their basic dependence upon Britain in order for both countries to advance. Initially, Britain employed a loose system of government (salutary neglect) that allowed the colonies extensive freedom, responsibility, and self-decision. However, the times have changed and economic competition has grown more intense. Britain has been imposing law after law, slowly infringing upon the colonies' rights. The originally excellent relationship between Britain and the colonies has disintegrated into one of tension and resistance for both sides. The more the colonies rebel and defy Britain's freedom-snatching laws, Britain simply adopts a stricter attitude and passes more unreasonable laws. A line needs to be drawn between what is tolerable and intolerable. We can then take our first steps to mending this relationship and recreating the peace that came before this.

Option 4

The independent states should keep the ties with Britian intact as they are the largest empire to trade in the world. But of course the revolution is strictly a political battle, and since America would actually flourish under management of its own economics, only trade should be done with Britain, nothing more. With this new back and forth being strictly economical, a new relationship could grow between Britain and the states, but the control of the colonies' own resources could make the British come back hungry for the capital they previously obtained through exploitation. Using this unique situation to leapfrog the colonies to the top of the global economic scene, France and Spain still have good ties with the colonies after the war and thus an international trading empire could rise from the deprived soils of America.