Declaration of Independence - 1776

Every Fourth of July, I read the Declaration of Independence to my kids. It provides a great explanation of why our Founding Fathers sought to separate themselves from England. While Jefferson was more focused on the wrongs of England, his preamble was just an introduction on which he spent little time. That being said, focus is often put on the preamble to illustrate the principles upon which the USA stands.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.


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 of 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.

Well said...but what does it mean?

1. These truths are absolute moral truths from God which are known to be true by understanding their meanings without proof.

2. We all have equal political and civil rights.

3. These political and civil rights cannot be taken away from or given away by the possessor.

4. Among these rights that cannot be taken away are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

5. We, the People, created the government to protect these rights.

What are our duties?

When the government fails to protect our God-given rights, it is our right, and it is our duty, to alter the government, laying its new foundation on such God-given principles and organizing its powers in such form "and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Our Founding Fathers were revolutionaries who changed the course of human events and created the only government in the world dedicated to protecting the rights of the individual. Today, the United States is at a crossroads. Will we continue down the path of reducing and eliminating our individual rights, or will we adhere to the path forged by our Founding Fathers and protect and secure our individual rights?

I choose the latter. It is my right and duty, and yours, to elect "new Guards" to protect our individual rights.

With that, I am going to enjoy my favorite Holiday of the Year!