Tuesday’s Election

So, on Tuesday, I’m going to write in my choice for each office. This is what I am going to put in the little space if it will fit:

None of the offered candidates are morally or intellectually qualified to represent me in government nor are they patriotic enough to put aside their self-interest for the benefit of the nation.

I cast my vote for:

NONE OF THEM!

The Reason for the Declaration of Independence

“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.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Let me address immediately an issue of language.

Old language is filled with sexism and racism but the truth can still be found within it.

As a child, I questioned my mother about the sexist language in Sacred Scripture.
She told me that the fault lies with human language, not with God.
A dear friend, a Teacher of English, told me once that he believed that the works of Shakespeare are as Divinely inspired as Scripture. I was at first offended since I am somewhat of a religious fanatic. After careful reflection, I have concluded that he is correct. As an extension to that assertion, I have also concluded that other great works that stand the test of time are also truly inspired. The founding documents of our nation do show truths beyond the ability of the human authors to imagine.

The word “men” and the phrase “all men” clearly mean more than what the signers of the declaration thought they meant. The word “men” extends to all human beings regardless of gender. The phrase “all men” extends to all human beings regardless of any differences that might otherwise be used to bestow “unalienable” rights to some groups and not to others.

It seems clear to me that the rights mentioned and alluded to in the Declaration and later in the Constitution are inherently rights of human beings and not other legal entities whose “rights” are granted by statute in the pursuit of a government’s just goal of protecting the people. It’s ALL about the PEOPLE!