Final answer:
Thomas Paine rejected the British claim of virtual representation of the colonies in Parliament, emphasizing the necessity for actual representation, particularly in matters of taxation, which was a pivotal issue in the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to the argument that the British have protected the colonies, Thomas Paine, an influential writer during the American Revolution, pointed out the absurdity of virtual representation and the harsh measures the British imposed. He believed that if being bound without actual representation was not tantamount to slavery, then there was no such concept of slavery on earth. Paine's argument, as reflected in his writings like "The American Crisis," indicated a clear rejection of the British claim that the colonial interests were being adequately represented in Parliament and asserted the need for actual, elected representation for the colonies in legislative decisions, especially concerning taxation. This standpoint became one of the core issues leading up to the American Revolution and the subsequent declaration that the colonies ought to be 'Free and Independent States.'