“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”

Today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain 245 years ago on July 4, 1776. As critical thinkers, let us stop and examine what and why we celebrate today.

The Declaration was written primarily by Thomas Jefferson with edits by four others who comprised the Committee of Five: John Adams of Massachusetts; Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania; Roger Sherman of Connecticut; and Robert Livingston of New York. This Declaration committee operated from June 11, 1776 until July 5, 1776, the day on which the Declaration was published.

Let’s begin by hypothetically giving ourselves the responsibility of writing a document that declares independence from an entity of authority. For whom is the document directed? How broad or narrow should the language be? How precise the language? How enduring? Would you consider writing, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Privilege? Let’s hope not!

Unfortunately, our history is plagued by slavery and the marginalization and destruction of indigenous peoples. It is past time for us to fully and widely embrace the phrase, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” for ALL people. Not just citizens of the United States, but for all people seeking asylum from oppression elsewhere. We should fully open the US borders and appropriate money for their transition into our society. What are we afraid of? That there aren’t enough resources to take care of them? I support a redistribution of wealth through taxes on the wealthiest among us. Is this a form of socialism? Yes!

Jefferson chose to write, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. We should keep in mind that “happiness” in the 18th Century meant “prosperity, thriving, and wellbeing.” Jefferson wisely knew that a government should not stand in the way of the pursuit of happiness. I ask, “Shouldn’t a government promote and support the pursuit of happiness?” Yes. Shouldn’t a government allocate a large percentage of its resources to support “the pursuit of happiness”? Yes. Does war pursue happiness? No, war is miserable. Should an inordinate amount of our nation's budget go to a war machine? No!

But let’s read a bit further: 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.

From my understanding of this passage, I argue that Jefferson would be appalled at the present state of the powers of our government and, like myself, would advocate for a new Government, [that lays] its foundation on [the] principles [of] Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness and [that would organize] its powers in such form, as to … effect [the] Safety and Happiness of the People.

Following the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers began writing the constitution and on December 15, 1791, following much heated debate, the body ratified what is now known as the “Bill of Rights”:

THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AS RATIFIED BY THE STATES ("The Bill of Rights")**

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. **Because the Ninth and Tenth Amendments are not specific guarantees of individual liberties, in some usages "The Bill of Rights" refers only to the first eight amendments.

Today, on this celebration of the Fourth of July, from a place called Merry Mount, I, call for our government representatives to broadly adhere to the principles found in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights and to amend the Constitution to make it more/most inclusive .

CPW