IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
It's nearly Independence Day, and being a big fan of liberty and the Constitution I thought I should make mention of it. I truly believe that our Founding Fathers were inspired men--mostly self educated, exceptionally talented, and brave men who risked being punished for treason to fight against the most powerful and feared military power of their time. What a remarkable thing they did for us. A wise man once said:
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. "--Ronald Reagan
I would suggest for everyone to read a transcription of the Constitution at least once from beginning to end. I intend to do all I can to pass freedom on to my children.
Teddy Roosevelt in 1916 speaking briefly about liberty.
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."
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