Independence Day- a suggested reading assignment

lousubcap

Below are the first two and last paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence.  You should read them.  Very powerful writings.  

"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.--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...

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Happy Birthday USA!

GrateEggspectations

Thanks for the important reminder of what today really means. 

Happy and safe Fourth of July, all. 

YukonRon

Liberty has a country. A country that is known to be made up of people from around the world.
We are anything but personal self interest, we are about the principles that this country and its defiance of tyranny and oppression. This is not about a single issue being made right, It is being a patriot to make our country better, in every aspect of life.
Because, as an American, we are the government. 
Never lose sight of that. Never lose sight of US.

TTC

Thank you @lousubcap

HendersonTRKing

Tanks!

JohnEggGio

Thank you!  Happy and safe Independence Day to all!

SciAggie

Thanks @lousubcap In these political times it’s important to remember these lines, “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

It is good for us to remember we are in this together (or should be). Thank you sir for your service to this country and for this reminder of how this nation got it’s start. 

wardo

God Bless America.  My wife is singing the star bangled banner to our daughter right now to get her to go down for her nap.🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

thetrim

Thanks for sharing, @lousubcap

dbCooper

Noble words from noble people. Many that currently hold power would do well to read and live them.

rifrench

Good reading, I read it in it's entirety this morning. Sadly, we are no longer the Christian nation that our form of government was meant for...

frazzdaddy

@lousubcap, you are a gentleman , a scholar and a patriot. A raised glass to you sir!

northGAcock

Frank....thanks for the reminder. Always enjoy reading.

bgebrent

northGAcock said:

Frank....thanks for the reminder. Always enjoy reading.

Did you catch any typos?

bgebrent

Bump.

nolaegghead

rifrench said:

Good reading, I read it in it's entirety this morning. Sadly, we are no longer the Christian nation that our form of government was meant for...

I remember religious freedom as one of the main reasons we declared independence from England and the church of England, which was famously intolerant.  Theocracies, history has abundantly shown us, are not governments supporting freedom and individual liberty.  Be happy you can believe in your version of magic without it being against the law.

bgebrent

nolaegghead said:

rifrench said:

Good reading, I read it in it's entirety this morning. Sadly, we are no longer the Christian nation that our form of government was meant for...

I remember religious freedom as one of the main reasons we declared independence from England and the church of England, which was famously intolerant.  Theocracies, history has abundantly shown us, are not governments supporting freedom and individual liberty.  Be happy you can believe in your version of magic without it being against the law.

No way you remember that 😝

nolaegghead

Brent, I feel 300 years old. 

northGAcock

bgebrent said:

northGAcock said:

Frank....thanks for the reminder. Always enjoy reading.

Did you catch any typos?

No.....who am I to challenge our forefathers.....or Frank?

HeavyG

rifrench said:

...Sadly, we are no longer the Christian nation that our form of government was meant for...

The funny thing is people have been saying that for well over two hundred years now. Hard to tell exactly when this great nation fell apart.

P.S. - You should also note that the Declaration of Independence is not the governing document for our wonderful nation, that would be the Constitution, which intentionally makes no reference to a Creator/God.