Saturday, July 2, 2011

Declaration of Independence:

7 Major Components


As we celebrate Independence Day lets take a quick look at how things have changed since 1776. For example, one of the key issues facing the 2012 election will be Obamacare. Putting all other arguments aside lets look at simply the size of the bill, all 2,700 pages of it.


By comparison The King James Bible has 1888 pages, The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, which is a 900 year history of the empire, contains 1312 pages and War and Peace has a mere 1296 pages. And lets turn to a more modern work of art, that is if you consider 50 some years modern, Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” is a measly 1078 pages.


This incredible document has about 1400 pages. I’m sorry; I’m confused it has about 1400 words. That’s right, words not pages. The Founding Fathers had the temerity to write one of the most important documents in history on, well, one page. What were they thinking? Perhaps the words pontificate and special interest had not yet been coined, just a thought.


So let’s take a closer look at the Declaration of Independence. I’ve found a series of wonderful videos on youtube with in-depth explanations. A gentleman by the name of Craig Seibert has about 6 videos and links to sites that are very interesting and understandable for the average citizen. I will link to these videos but I want to use his explanation to hopefully give you a clearer understanding of this document. Consider this a book report of Mr. Seibert’s video. Because quite frankly, I’m not this smart.

Look at this picture. As you can see, I’ve broken it into three sections. Of the almost 1400 words, about 400 are about the principals and beliefs and are split between the opening and closing. That leaves roughly a 1000 words to explain 25 of the abuses by King George III and the reasons for declaring independence.


The entire document can be broken into 7 components.


The first section has four components. The opening sentence is the reason for the document. 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.


The second component in the opening section is the SELF EVIDENT TRUTHS. 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.


But in the time of our founding Happiness had a deeper meaning which was according to Mr. Seibert “that the individual would have the freedom to use their time, talent and recourses to pursue the directions in life that they believed would bring them the most satisfaction and would benefit their family, friends and fellow man and future generations the most.”


The third component is the purpose of government. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.


The fourth is the reason for the declaration. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to 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.


The most important element is the self-evident truths, 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.


The middle section is a list of grievances against the King that had troubled the colonies over the previous ten years. I’ve pulled out just a few to see if any of them seem just a little familiar
1. Unfair taxation (Individual Mandates for Healthcare)
2. Creating new government departments with officials that harass the people (Can you say Regulatory Czar?)
3. Cutting off trade (Pending free trade agreements)
4. Disallowing or not hearing any appeals for justice ( How about Black Panthers at polling places or illegal sanctuary cities)


Just to name a few.


Now the fifth component comes in the third section. This is the declaration statement. We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world (aka God) for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the 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;


The sixth component outlines the rights of the sovereign states
1-and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
2-and that as free and independent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce,
3-and to do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do.


The Founders referred to the State of Great Britain and then to themselves as free and independent States. Not a collective America but the individual States much the same way Europe is divided into sovereign States such as France, Italy etc.


And finally the seventh component is the pledge first to God, And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, then to each other. We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.


On July 4th John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence, a copy was made up and it was announced to the people and on August 2, 1776 the remaining of the 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence and made it official.


You now know more than 90% of Americans about the Declaration of Independence, however in 1776, 90% of the people had this understanding.


We need to remember that the 4th of July is more than just a day off from work or a time to eat too many hotdogs. Thomas Jefferson said it best: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”