Conservatives vs the Declaration of Independence
By speakeasy
@speakeasy (4171)
United States
October 20, 2010 10:45am CST
Many "conservative" groups are claiming that the current administration, the Democratic party, and "liberals" are doing (or trying to do) things which are against or will weaken the Constitution of the United States.
These groups are out there making a lot of noise and pushing forward their "conservative" agendas.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am all for defending the US Constitution. I am a strong believer in in the Constitution and when I joined th emilitary I swore to defend out Constitution.
But, many of these "conservative" groups are adding other things to their agendas/platforms which are not in the Constitution. The same groups are passing and trying to pass laws which match their agendas; saying that these are "conservative" beliefs and all "conservatives" should support their cause. They are even talking about amending the Constituion to make it conform to their ideas.
But, before the Constitution was even dreamed of there was another very important document created by our founding fathers - the Declaration of Independence.
I, personally, do not see how a person can call themselves a "conservative" if they do not believe and adhere to the principals put forth in this very important document.
Here is a link to the text of this document - http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/doi/text.html
This is not a huge documemt and it has never been amended. So, I believe it is a lot closer to the founding fathers beliefs than our current Constitution. Indeed, the Constitution took mamy years to write and included many "compromises".
But, so many of the current "conservative" groups are ignoring one of the prime statements found in the Declaration of Independence; that I have to doubt their self proclaimed "conservatism" - "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."
So, can you truly be a "conservative" and have agendas which contradict the Declaration of Independence? Is the Declaration of Independance no longer a valid statement of what the United States and it's Constitution are founded upon?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@laglen (19759)
• United States
22 Oct 10
Good point and I believe that this goes both ways. I agree there are PLENTY of conservatives as well as liberals that ignore the Constitution as well as the Declaration of Independence. I think we should all stop, back up and ask ourselves "are we only willing to live up to the parts we like?"
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
26 Oct 10
Human beings seem to have a tendency to do that - use the parts they like and ignore the parts they don't like.
You see this not only in politics; but, also in religion.
Before I joined the military, while I was in the military, and afterwards; I have always been willing to stand up for other peoples rights - even when I disagree with them. I am willing to listen to their arguments as long as they are willing to listen to what I have to say also. If neither of us change our positions on the topic after that I am still willing to stand up for and defend their right to say what they believe as long as no one else is harmed by the beliefs that either of us hold.
The problem is that many of these people do not care who is hurt or denied basic human rights. They seem to feel that if other people do not agree with them; then, those other people have no rights!
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14113)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
21 Oct 10
Ok, first something needs a little clearing up. The only way we can violate the declaration of independence is to return our selves to British colonial rule. I don't believe that "Bring back King George!" is a real common slogan one hears chanted at tea party rallies and Campaign for Liberty events.
You are talking about two documents that performed two completely different functions. I believe TaskR has already out lined that for you so I won't waste your time or insult your intelligence by repeating it.
You are right in one aspect though, round about way you arrived at it. You said the following:
"But, many of these "conservative" groups are adding other things to their agendas/platforms which are not in the Constitution. The same groups are passing and trying to pass laws which match their agendas; saying that these are "conservative" beliefs and all "conservatives" should support their cause."
Words more true would be very difficult to find. These people and groups are not necessarily representative of the broader liberty movement. they are what you see on Fox news in their push to keep the two party farce alive...and they are also the same one's you see on MSNBC and other left leaning news (most of it) in their push to keep the two party farce alive.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
26 Oct 10
True, going back under British rule is not on any parties current agenda, though a lot of them like to point to Britain as an example of how we ought to conduct our govenment on subjects like health care and other social issues.
The Declaration of Independence did sever our relations with England; but, it also was a guiding principle in our Constitution (which is designed to govern our nation so we do not commit the same "crimes" against our own people). The Declaration of Independence also outlines certain "unalienable rights" that our founding fathers believed in and which led to the Declaration of Independence - the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". With further "rights" being laid out in the Bill of Rights section of the Constitution.
And, it is the challenges to the "unalienable right" to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" that I am referring to. Many of these so-called "conservatives" are saying that "if you do not believe exactly what I believe; then, you do not have or even deserve these rights".
Actually, I think the "tea party" movement is an attenpt to create a third party; but, they realized they did not have enough momentum and clout at this time to do that; so, they are backing any politician that is willing to "suck up to them" at this point.
@sierras236 (2739)
• United States
20 Oct 10
I have to ask do you support Roe vs. Wade or are you against it? When you answer that question you may realize that you are against "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Before you begin the criticism and try the when life begins argument, reread the word "Creator" and think very carefully about what that means.
