observations from the hellbound handbasket

Post 4th of July Patriotism
The Preamble to the Constitution:

"We the People, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice and insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and insure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution, for the United States of America."

The Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unaliable Rights, and 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."

Brave, important words. Words that not only helped establish liberty and democracy in this country, but helped spread those ideals around the globe. And unfortunately, 232 years later given the current state of our governance and politics, I wonder whether the Founders might not say the same thing about the status quo.

When was the last time a government talked about the right of Happiness?

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