|
|
Monday, July 04, 2005
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Let me see if I've got this straight. The purpose of the government is to provide a safe space in which we can pursue happiness. Governments are to do so in a manner acceptable to the people. Governments that don't are to be abolished.
It's no wonder our leaders encourage us to drink beer and watch fireworks for the Fourth. Were the text to be read to an attentive public, how long would Washington stand?
Still... as we have noted before, the ill disposition of our civil service toward heavy lifting coupled with the nervousness of politicians in the face of an armed populace have worked to get us closer than just about anywhere else.
Happy Fourth of July
posted by gbarto at 10:04 PM
|
Archives
|
