Declaration of Independence

I know it's awesome to go to fireworks shows.  To consume hot dogs and potato salad.  To take in a good movie. It's the American pursuit of happiness.

Many things can get in our way, and we aren't guaranteed happiness but the right to pursue it.

I try to remind myself what a different world this would be were it not for the power of these words.  I am reminded of what an interesting document it is, and how much more there is than the first few lines we often memorize. It is very important in an election year to remind ourselves of the entire story and remember that these men shaped who we are, and if we listen, will continue to shape this country if we let them.

"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."