In keeping with the celebration of this Independence Day 2012, my Congressional Representative sent me this e-mail:
On July 4th 1776, right here
in Philadelphia, our nation's forefathers put ink quill to parchment and signed the Declaration of Independence.
For 236 years this document has
served as a living testament to the rights, the beliefs, and the values of our nation. It has guided
us through times of war and of times of prosperity, and now today it is more important than ever.
As a Member of Congress, and as
an American, I am often humbled by the wisdom our forefathers displayed in leaving us such an important
legacy.
In honor of America, please join
with me to take a moment to read the Declaration
of Independence.
Just the nuance of this message assured me there was hidden value to be found in a careful reading of this profound document. And sure enough there it was. Not in the eloquent Introduction. Not in the oft quoted assertion "...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 hidden value in this 236 year old document lies in this lead into the grievances which impelled them toward separation "... let Facts be submitted to a candid world." It tells me that even 236 years ago, facts--not feelings, were the basis of decisions affecting the common good. And among those statements of Fact that contributed to the dissatisfaction with the tyranny of King George III, these two have value even today:
--He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
--He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
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