The Declaration has been dubbed by one historian, "The American Scriptures." They declare why we are a country, where the rights of man are derived from (God, not the state), the purpose of government (to protect those God-given rights), and consequently, the basis upon which a government forfeits its legitimacy. The Declaration lays down foundational principles. Without it, or to ignore it, our nation loses its heritage and unique character.
Still, it is not a law. Many of you have singled out my assertion without addressing the other, obvious, half. The DoI specifies Liberty, but the USA was a slave country for 100 years. It specifies Life, but has a death penalty. It provides emotive power, but it has no strength of its own. No one has ever gone to jail because they violated it, the Supreme Court has never struck it down, and Congress never amended it. The Pres can't veto it.
It's a good letter...but it isn't a law. Any lawyers out there want to comment on my assertion?
I love the DoI as much as the next American. Yes, I would fight to protect its ideals. Yes, I think that it does define the character of our nation. But, it is a letter and nothing more.
Exactly, and while we're at it, I am so sick of ppl making assertions of separation of church and state like God can not be mentioned anywhere in public spaces. The intent is not to take or stop ppl from praticing their religion in public, but to not force ppl to paticipate or believe. The Atheist Zealots are so elitist and pompas about not only taking God out of public, but out of everything...and I will fight to the death to keep my God, a God whom you can find NO fault, in the minds of people, in the public!