We hold these truths...

Thomas Rogers · Jul 4, 2010

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. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

-- Preamble of the Declaration of Independence

Tom Schindler · Jul 4, 2010

...unless you are Gay, then you can not pursue happiness because you can not be married.

...unless you are black because when the bill or rights was written, blacks were not human beings, they were a sub species only good for working and screwing.

...unless you were a woman because you couldn't vote. You were only good for making babies and cooking food.

Interesting, isn't it? We hold the bill of rights close to our hearts, but fail to see the double talk of then and today.

Tom

Thomas Rogers · Jul 4, 2010

Caymen,

There you go again, Caymen.

At the time that preamble was written, the founding fathers discussed whether or not to abolish slavery at the same time. They knew they couldn't for to the plantation states to survive.

Since it was written, blacks have rights, and many states allow gay marriage. More will in the future, until they all do. Blacks couldn't marry whites in many parts of this country just a few decades back, either by law, or by public opinion. These things change...you can't fight progress, even if there are those that are set in their biased ways (LOL as I consider who I am talking to...no offense, but change and progress comes in all forms).

Is America perfect, now (was it then)? Nope...but it's getting better...yes.

America will always be a "work in progress."

Happy Independence Day, all!

TJR

Don Pertz · Jul 4, 2010

Sounds like a comment a Gay , Black, Cross dresser would make.

Why doesn't it surprise me?

H D · Jul 4, 2010

The customs of the times were not written into law, though. The framers were smart enough that they recognized what was customary at the time would not remain so. The issue you must really have is with our current society, not the writings of our forefathers. All those things you mention are not written into the Constitution; they are social norms.