We The People

Last night, I watched a NOVA documentary on The Declaration of Independence. The documentary covered many topics, from the history of why it was drafted, who drafted it, how it was written on parchment paper, how parchment paper is made, why the document is fading, and how it's played an important role in American society and culture throughout the years. The show was extremely interesting.
I don't consider myself a very patriotic person, especially as of late, but hearing the words of the original document and the reason why they were written down is pretty moving.
The important part of the Declaration of Independence, when it was first drafted, is actually about half way down on the page. It's the part that states the facts of why the United States of America wishes to separate itself from England. (Remember the authors were mostly lawyers, so they were drafting a solid case with detailed proof for their decision to separate.) There is a list of all of the wrongdoings of King George, including the burning of towns, judges being influenced by what the King wanted and for cutting off the United States' trade with other parts of the world.
It wasn't until a century later, when President Abraham Lincoln was trying to find any sort of written text that would support his fight against slavery, that another section of the document was brought to light. After re-reading the Declaration of Independence, President Lincoln decided to use the preamble as a basis for his argument. That is when this part became recognized/famous:
"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."

On my ride in to work this morning I was thinking about what that original government wanted for this new nation. This group of men and their determination to bring about freedom, justice and equality to everyone who lived in The United States of America. I think of that and then I think of where our government is now. Sigh.

Perhaps the people in the White House need to watch WTTW more often. It appears they have forgotten (or ignored) the foundation of the country.