Is the US Constitution Legally Connected to the Declaration-of-Independence?
@mythociate (21437)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
December 15, 2012 4:43pm CST
Specifically, do 'our inalienable rights to life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness' register as guidelines to following the terms of the US Constitution?
Maybe we should write, submit & ratify an Amendment stating those rights! Yeah? Why or Why Not?
3 responses
@knoodleknight18 (917)
• United States
16 Dec 12
Technically there wasn't anything legal about the Declaration of Independence. It was basically a document made by a rebelling colony. Of course once Britain gave up control, it became official. The only document legally tied to the constitution is the Bill of Rights. Though in modern times, it doesn't seem to be honored.
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
16 Dec 12
From a historic perspective, it was indeed a formal declaration of rebellion--for it to be a declaration of "war" it would have to come from an established sovereign nation. But it worked, and that's what mattered. It also insured that everyone remained committed--as Ben Franklin put it at the signing: We must indeed all hang together, gentlemen--else we shall assuredly hang separately (that's fairly close, though might not be exact).
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
16 Dec 12
I've heard of it being described as a formal declaration of war.
@mythociate (21437)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
16 Dec 12
The Declaration of Independence, debrakcarey? I think 'war' was indeed "deemed necessary" in the Declarations conclusion---it kind of said 'this is the way it should be, yet the King does not see to it that this is how it is; therefore your troops are trespassing. Get off of the territory, or we'll getchya off of OUR territory!'
And it included a list of grievances colonists had.
@StLouisMetroTutoring (678)
• St. Peters, Missouri
15 Dec 12
I'm not sure I understand your question.......
The way I always understood it was that they have different purposes - so I don't think there is a legal connection between them. I see the Declaration of Independence as a statement of what was wanted and the Constitution as a document stating how we would get it. As for writing, submitting, and ratifying and amendment to state our rights, isn't that what the first 10 amendments were - the Bill of Rights? Or am I missing something?
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
16 Dec 12
It's a shame our Constitution and Bill of Rights is not better taught in schools as well, along with some good old fashioned values and ethics.
@mythociate (21437)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
20 Dec 12
It should be rehd by Americans like Christians claim to read their Bible.
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
17 Dec 12
The Declaration of Independence is an in your face document aimed at the ire of the Oppressive British Government...Basically, "what are you going to do now...we are ready to fight."
The Constitution, written later, was an outline of the founding fathers Paradisical ideas of what a Nation could look like if done correctly.
We do not need a document telling us how the obamderthal wants OUR NATION to be run...He has already denigrated America enough.
