A reading of the declaration of Independence.
https://youtu.be/jpBok4A3FvU?is=JeNI_5THq46XndnI
A reading of the declaration of Independence.
https://youtu.be/jpBok4A3FvU?is=JeNI_5THq46XndnI
One of the most powerful documents ever written. Too bad we ignored its message from day one.
Many of the signatories "held these truths to be self-evident," but...they owned slaves. And women were never even mentioned. Later on, at the Constitutional Convention, the one person who suggested that women should be allowed to vote was laughed out of the room (I think he was a delegate from South Carolina).
And of course, today, our government forthrightly states that all men (persons) are not equal, and if they're brown, they're not really human. It also states that people who agree with the President have and deserve more rights than those who don't.
Imagine a country wherein the tenets of the Declaration had been followed from the start. No slavery. Human rights for...all humans. The practice of, not just lip service to, human equality and justice for all. No genocide of native Americans. No foreign wars except to defend ourselves. Actual (instead of theoretical) checks and balances on governmental powers. No kings (we sure as shit have failed there).
I love the eloquence and the idealism of the Declaration. Maybe for our second 250 years, we might actually follow it??
Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
One of the most powerful documents ever written. Too bad we ignored its message from day one.
Many of the signatories "held these truths to be self-evident," but...they owned slaves. And women were never even mentioned. Later on, at the Constitutional Convention, the one person who suggested that women should be allowed to vote was laughed out of the room (I think he was a delegate from South Carolina).
And of course, today, our government forthrightly states that all men (persons) are not equal, and if they're brown, they're not really human. It also states that people who agree with the President have and deserve more rights than those who don't.
Imagine a country wherein the tenets of the Declaration had been followed from the start. No slavery. Human rights for...all humans. The practice of, not just lip service to, human equality and justice for all. No genocide of native Americans. No foreign wars except to defend ourselves. Actual (instead of theoretical) checks and balances on governmental powers. No kings (we sure as shit have failed there).
I love the eloquence and the idealism of the Declaration. Maybe for our second 250 years, we might actually follow it??
Typical liberal spiel - always complaining - always negative.
Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
One of the most powerful documents ever written. Too bad we ignored its message from day one.
Many of the signatories "held these truths to be self-evident," but...they owned slaves. And women were never even mentioned. Later on, at the Constitutional Convention, the one person who suggested that women should be allowed to vote was laughed out of the room (I think he was a delegate from South Carolina).
And of course, today, our government forthrightly states that all men (persons) are not equal, and if they're brown, they're not really human. It also states that people who agree with the President have and deserve more rights than those who don't.
Imagine a country wherein the tenets of the Declaration had been followed from the start. No slavery. Human rights for...all humans. The practice of, not just lip service to, human equality and justice for all. No genocide of native Americans. No foreign wars except to defend ourselves. Actual (instead of theoretical) checks and balances on governmental powers. No kings (we sure as shit have failed there).
I love the eloquence and the idealism of the Declaration. Maybe for our second 250 years, we might actually follow it??
What country has come closer to those ideals?
Originally posted by: tom
What country has come closer to those ideals?
England, since the early 19th century.
Iceland, for the last thousand years.
Most of western Europe, since the end of WWIi.
Australia, since their independence.
New Zealand, since their independence.
Canada, since 1867.
Japan, since the drafting of their postwar Constitution (1951?).
Liberia.
Malawi.
India, since 1947.
Definitely not Israel.
You rattled off a bunch of countries but no reason. So why would you live there?
Apparently Kevin hasn't seen the videos of people who are here for the World Cup saying how much they love it here.
The US is ranked 3rd in the free speech index
The US is above all those countries in income.
I am sure Europe wishes they had the electrical access to get ac where when you check into a hotel they hand you a fan.
American homes are larger, Americans have more cars.
Originally posted by: tom
Yoy rattled off a bunch of countries but no reason. So why would you live there?
Apparently Kevin hasn't seen the videos of people who are here for the World Cup saying how much they love it here.
The US is ranked 3rd in the free speech index
The US is above all those countries in income.
I am sure Europe wishes they had the electrical access to get ac where when you check into a hotel they hand you a fan.
American homes are larger, Americans have more cars.
America is not over run with Muslims - ask England and Europe how they like that.
Originally posted by: tom
Yoy rattled off a bunch of countries but no reason. So why would you live there?
Apparently Kevin hasn't seen the videos of people who are here for the World Cup saying how much they love it here.
The US is ranked 3rd in the free speech index
The US is above all those countries in income.
I am sure Europe wishes they had the electrical access to get ac where when you check into a hotel they hand you a fan.
American homes are larger, Americans have more cars.
You asked a question, I answered it. If you want elaboration, I can provide it.
You have this childish habit of putting words in other people's mouths. When did I say I wanted to live in any of those countries?
The US is NOT above all of those countries in income, but what on earth does that have to do with the Democratic ideals listed in the Declaration of Independence??
What does the size of homes and the number of cars have to do with personal freedoms? And by the way, if we had decent public transit, we wouldn't need so many cars.
You didn't explain why those countries are better
American homes are larger, Americans have more cars.
That's funny, basing your quality of life on square feet and how many cars you own.
I found the quality of life in Tokyo, Osaka, and Wakayama quite nice on our last visit and look forward to our next visit. Japan ranks higher in quality of life than the US.
