By Camylle Wood
Perhaps the answer to the American Dream lies in a few simple lines written at the time of our nation's founding. Thomas Jefferson drafted most of the Declaration of Independence and wrote the following, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men... are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."1 When a typical American imagines the American Dream, what ideas form in their mind? Likely a large home, abundance, and perceived happiness. But this may be a shallow interpretation of the true bounties this country offers.
Liberty is perhaps the most basic of all the rights of mankind. Pure liberty consists of a man doing what he pleases so long it does not impinge upon the rights of others. Liberty gives us the foundation on which to chase our dreams without a fear of authoritative tyranny, a freedom guaranteed by limited government. Often, we Americans look to government as a solution to our problems. Some expect it to replace what we can't or aren't willing to do to reach our dreams of material abundance. The political observer and philosopher Alexander de Tocqueville said this about our government's assumed role in the American Dream," The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money."2 A Congressman from Texas once said, "To expect government to take care of us from cradle to grave undermines the basic principles of liberty."3 That goes hand in hand with what Benjamin Franklin said about our freedom, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”4
Happiness is not guaranteed in America- but the pursuit of it is. Those that feel they are entitled to results, lack the right vision into America's destiny. If Thomas Jefferson wanted to write "Life, Liberty, and Happiness" he could have, and many Americans likely wouldn't notice the difference. Imagine if every man acquired every desire of his heart. Is every desire of every man's heart good? This principle is mediated by the principle of pure liberty. This pursuit is guaranteed by liberty that in turn provides opportunity. Through this tremendous opportunity that we enjoy here in this beloved country, comes a route through which we can achieve our dreams.
Anything that restrains our lives, liberty, and inhibits our personal pursuit of happiness in America needs to be eliminated if we are to pass on the American Dream to our children. Entitlement programs, unfair taxes, and unconstitutional laws sap our liberties every day and make the American Dream out to be about security and possessions, when, truly, liberty is at the core. Samuel Adams put our situation this way, "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!”5
Citations
1. "U.S. History Project." The Declaration of Independence. 2010. Independence Hall Association. 16 May 2010
2. "iWise Wisdom On Demand." iWise Quotations. 2010. iWise Inc.. 16 May 2010
3. Ron Paul Quote-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cESC0RaVnM
4. "The Quotations Page." The Quotations Page. 2007. QuotationsPage.com. 16 May 2010
5. "Thinkexist.com." Samuel Adams Quotes. 2010. ThinkExist.com Quotations. 16 May 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment