Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Posted: Sunday, July 01, 2007
by Cari Jones
Highway2PerfectHealth
"By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled; Here once the embattled farmers stood; And fired the shot heard round the world." Ralph Waldo Emerson
The American Revolution was fought on American soil, culminating in the ouster of the British and the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, which was unanimously approved and signed July 4, 1776. This finalized the secession from British rule. The drafting committee of five, consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman and Thomas Jefferson.
600,000 casualties. We are currently engaged in another conflict and again, many are paying the ultimate price so that we may continue to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Our country has grown, from the original 13 colonies, to 48 continental states, plus Hawaii and Alaska. I often wonder what the founding fathers would think if they were able to see how our government and our way of life have changed. What would they think of these campaigns with moral issues on political planks, politicians contortions to avoid saying anything of substance, no real debates, nothing to clue the voters in on what they are REALLY getting.
Since 1776, there have been many thwarted attempts to assassinate the president, actual attempts and 4 assassinations. Starting with George Washington, the first thwarted attempt, was a plot by the Mayor and the Governor of New York, and also involved a body guard. The body guard was found guilty of treason and hanged, in view of 20,000 spectators. The next attempt was on Andrew Jackson who was confronted on a street corner, and had a pistol pointed directly at him, but the pistol misfired twice. As a result of the incident, the vice president, Martin Van Buren, regularly carried 2 pistols while residing over the senate.
Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, both had attempts made on their lives, of course, later on Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed at the age of 56. Attempts or thwarted attempts were made on Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Sr. and Bill Clinton. Also assassinated, were 20th president James Garfield, 25th president William McKinley, and 35th president John Kennedy at age 46.
It has allegedly been stated that,a president receives at least one death threat a month.
These are not taken lightly, and it is a felony to make a threat even in jest.
In light of all this history, it is hard to imagine why anyone would even want this job, let alone spend millions upon millions to get it. George Washington didn't even want the job when first asked, but the nation needed a strong leader for their new democracy. 231 years later, we need the same thing, but it's much more difficult to find that kind of honesty, passion, eloquence, integrity and strength to lead.
Things have changed a lot since 1776. We've been through a lot, including an unprecedented attack on American soil in 2001, on the bitterly ironic date of 9/11. One of the outcomes of that attack, was the creation of another government agency, Homeland Security. Who knew we needed it? Weren't we supposed to already have it?
In spite of everything we are here to celebrate the anniversary of the beginning of a democracy that has evolved into what some might call a coporatocracy or plutocracy but in our heart of hearts we long for the democracy envisioned in 1776.
"We hold these truths to be self evident,that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator, with certain inalienable 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 power from the consent of the governed."
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Good article. I enjoyed it. Keep writing!Thank you for your comments, it means a lot. My favorite of yours is the paper pig. Happy Fourth.
Cari, a very good article and tribute to our country. Happy 4th to you and yours! Take special care.Thank you so very much, and the same to you. Happy Fourth!
Nice article, Cari! As you know, freedom comes with a price. I hope people realize what this holiday is really about. Keep up the good work!Thank you James. Happy Fourth!
Enjoyed reading this articleI appreciate your comments, and enjoy your articles as well.
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