The Politics of the American Founding ( Declaration of Independence) Yarisa Figueroa

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription


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.




        In this paragraph, The Declaration of Independence first begins stating that all Man are created equal no matter their race or gender. It goes on to state that we all have Human rights where we are in titled to Life, Liberty and Happiness. These rights are rights that the government should never violate. It states that when the government doesn't protect these rights, we the people are entitled to over throw the government . It explains that the people should establish a government that is designed to protect those rights. Governments are usually not over thrown and should not be over thrown for trivial reason. It goes off to explain that the King of Great Britain is guilty of several specific abuses. The king interfered with the colonist right to self government and for a fair judicial system While reviewing this document it really reminded me how the government should be working.  How the government are created to protect and secure certain unalienable rights , rights that are granted, not by the government or man but by God. In todays society not all of our rights are protected. There has been a lot of race issues going on , a lot of police shooting happening with Minorities and I feel like this topic has being bringing a lot of controversy to the government and the overall society. our rights as minorities are not being protected or secure, such as giving these people a fair trail and protecting the rights of citizens or legal residents.

                                Despite Negativity, Americans Mixed on Ideal Role of Gov't

Paragraph from Article:

Majority Willing to Trade Off Lower Taxes for Fewer Services

A majority of Americans (56%) say they would be willing to pay less in taxes and accept fewer services, rather than either leaving things as they are now or paying more taxes for more services.This supports the general position of some conservatives and libertarians, including GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul. They argue that citizens should want their government to do less, and thus collect fewer taxes. Liberals, on the other hand, have focused on the value of the services the government provides, particularly in terms of creating jobs and providing a social safety net, and the necessity of keeping tax revenue flowing in order to fund those services. Fewer than half of Americans, however, currently want to keep or add to the level of taxes and services they have now.As would be expected, 81% of Republicans would opt for reduced taxes and fewer services, as would 58% of independents. Democrats have more mixed reactions, but about two-thirds would either keep things as they are now (36%) or would opt for more services and more taxes (30%).

I chose this article because this is something that i have spoken about to a few friends of mine, where we cant all agree. This particular paragraph states how the majority are willing to trade off lower taxes for fewer services. I personally have mixed feelings about this maybe because I'm a democrat. I honestly feel that lower taxes will be great but to have less services makes me no where near to ever want to except to pay less in taxes. I want our government to do as much as possible of their citizens. i want the jobs and services to be created for the people that need it. There are thousands of homeless people and  low income families in our society today which need different services to help them out. I think this is a major issue for republicans because they want to put there focus away from the people and not provide them with that safety net.