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—

The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America was signed on July 4, 1776.  It has endured for 240 years and has been hallowed by Americans and envied by others ever since.

While it and the Constitution which was signed in 1787 are viewed often as those inalienable rights to which we are entitled as Americans, how often do we think about these rights and discuss them with our children?  With our employees?  With our friends?

The answer is, for the most part, seldom.  Why is this?  Do we assume that ‘self-evident’ means that our children understand the Declaration of Independence and the rights and privileges that have been endowed to them?

In this year of political upheaval and concern, let’s review these precious documents that have guided our nation for 240 years.  Let’s open discussions at home with our children about the Constitution and what it means when public officials pledge to “uphold the Constitution of the United States.”  Do our children really grasp the significance of what this means?

Can we focus on these documents when choosing a President to determine how able the candidate is to “uphold the Constitution of the United States?’ 

Our Founders gave us a precious gift in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.  Let’s focus on them and not on the political static that doesn’t address the real issue… “The Truths We Hold to Be Self-Evident”.