The “equality” expressed by the Declaration pertains to the intangible ideal of what it is to be human. The founders were not so ignorant as to eschew accidental differences, lack of genetic detail notwithstanding.
“The “equality” expressed by the Declaration pertains to the intangible ideal of what it is to be human. “
That’s vague as hell - nobody knows what that means and everyone can put their own interpretation to it.
It would have been much better to have said:
“We’re all humans and are all endowed with certain traits such as the desire for living and the yearning to be free to pursue our individual happiness.”
Which is really what they meant!
Maybe less grandious and poetic, but so much more accurate and clearer. And best of all it gets rid of that most abused and least understood word - “rights” and also the troublesome word “equal”.
I wish I had been there at the founding. I would have straightened them out! 😁
And that would have been a great leadin to...
“And that to advance those human longings governments are instituted to protect the life and liberty of each individual in
ways that promotes domestic tranquility.”
What this part basically says is that you can pursue your happiness but you better not do it in a way that pisses off a lot of other people, or else.
Yes! I like this wording so much better. Don’t you? 😊
Think how many fewer problems we’d be having today if the words “rights” and “equal” had not been used. All these “rights” to health care, housing, education etc, etc,” and all the equality and equity BS would most likely not exist.