When Is The Last Time You Read This?

Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776

"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.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government."

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness - That's it. Not food, health care, housing, successful business endeavors...

Deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed - I think we still have a voice. What's important here is that we remember that we SHOULD be in control.

Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes - So...what about the smell of pig manuer in Iowa? Retrofitting your house to be "green" prior to sale? Why do politicians even talk about this stuff?

Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves - This is true, but I hope the days of "silent majority" are over! They sure are for me.

Duty - It's not just a nice idea if we want to get involved. It's our duty.

I was easy on you and left out the list of complaints against the King of England, but if you'd like I can formulate one against the present monarch/dictator of our country. :)

I wonder what the face of our country would look like if everyone read this once a year? Now I've done my patriotic duty...off to decorate the backyard in red, white, and blue!

Happy Independence Day!