rebublished with credits and sources. Worth reading
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| On this Independence Day 2007, all of us at the Independence Institute take time to reflect upon the document - born from an idea "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 created freedom. The Declaration of Independence is a remarkable manuscript drafted by men who risked their fortunes and their lives so that future generations, free from the shackles of an intrusive government, could enjoy the fruits of their labor in a manner of their choosing. Many of us know the first and last paragraphs contained within the Declaration of Independence but have forgotten the grievances included. Tune into iVoices to hear an audio version of the Declaration of Independence and appreciate how the Founders articulated their fears of tyranny and despotism and ultimately declared "that these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States." Also enjoy the "Spirit of '76" courtesy of guest writer Donald Beezley. Happy Independence Day. The Independence Institute |
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Remember the Spirit of '76 |
July 3rd, 2007 |
| On this Fourth of July, as we grill our hamburgers and watch brilliant explosions of color against the night sky, Americans should take a moment to remember why we are celebrating. On July 4, 1776 a nation was born based upon an idea: the fundamental right of human beings to be free. It was a radical idea for the time, recognizing that individuals are not vassals of the state, a king--or a Congress--but, in fact, that each person owns him or herself, by right and without question; a right that is prior to and above any government or social organization. History In early June of 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence from Great Britain. The committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and John Adams of Massachusetts. Jefferson, due to his "peculiar felicity of expression," was given the primary responsibility for writing the declaration. Congress ultimately passed a resolution for independence on July 2, 1776 and two days later, on July Fourth, 1776, Jefferson's exceptional document, The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America--the Declaration of Independence--was issued, and the timeless words it contained stirred a new nation to life: 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... In a brief document the Founding Fathers stated, without equivocation, the timeless principles of liberty, and made clear that the only proper, moral role for government is to protect that liberty. The Declaration proclaimed that government has the right to exist only to the extent that it defends each person's right to his or her own life, to live that life in a state of liberty, and to pursue those things in life--Jefferson's "Happiness"--that he or she considers most likely to secure their safety, success and happiness. Government must defend these rights or lose its legitimacy and be abolished. Today Would Jefferson recognize our country today? All levels of government place extraordinary claims on the lives of Americans. The non-partisan Tax Foundation estimates that Americans spent the first 120 days of 2007 just to pay their federal and local taxes, and the Foundation for Economic Education notes that government consumes 35 percent of GDP. In other words, almost one-third of our lives is taken from us to feed the agendas of federal, state and local political machines. Taking our money isn't the only way government seeks to violate our right to our own lives. At the federal level alone, the Federal Register of regulations contains over 75,000 pages of rules telling us how we are going to live "our" lives. The power of the state to regulate every aspect of our existence goes essentially unchecked today. It is unchecked by the Constitution or the courts, and it is unchecked by an increasingly complacent people who are as likely to try and seek government favor and power at the expense of others, as they are to seek the limitation of government for the benefit of all. The most successful idea in history--owning your own life and living in freedom--is having the life choked out if it by government at every level. Politicians and bureaucrats claim daily that they have the ability to make better decisions for our lives than we can make for ourselves, calling you un-"progressive" or "afraid of change" if you suggest that maybe you are more qualified to run your life than they are. Tomorrow In Jefferson's final letter, before his death on July 4, 1826, he stated, "God did not intend that the greatest part of mankind should be born with saddles on their backs while a favored few were born with crowns on their heads, booted and spurred to ride the others to death." As our increasingly powerful political class gets up each day to strap on its spurs, remember that Freedom isnt just a theory. Freedom is real and freedom works, but it is only as real as our commitment to it. Make this day, the Fourth of July, the important day it should be. A day to embrace the right of the individual to his or her own life, and a day to reject elitists on both the Left and the Right who say you aren't smart enough, or good enough, to run your own life. Consider reading the Declaration of Independence to your kids, and truly revel in the meaning and value of the words. Don't allow freedom to become a "radical" notion once again. Donald L. Beezley is a guest author for the Independence Institute. |
Summary: On July 4th Americans celebrate the “radical” idea of freedom. Word Count: 856 |
INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE is a non-profit, non-partisan Colorado think tank. It is governed by a statewide board of trustees and holds a 501(c)(3) tax exemption from the IRS. Its public policy research focuses on economic growth, education reform, local government effectiveness, and Constitutional rights.
JON CALDARA is the President of the Independence Institute.
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