"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."
Notice the "Pursuit of Happiness". I agree that having found wealth would be a source of great happiness. Sadly, many who don't find "wealth" are envious of those who do.
Personally, we say MORE POWER to those who are inventive enough or lucky enough to have wealth! We can even say we are happy for them. Because it reflects another aspect of American life that is FREE!! The freedom to succeed!!
Notice also the title CREATOR!!
GOD BLESS those who are successful as well as those who aren't. May they all find a way to succeed in the Pursuit of Happiness!!
Equality.. doesn't mean we are all rich. We all have an EQUAL right to succeed, but that would depend on how we play this game called life. :o)
Some play the game of life better than others.
It's when people PLAY OFF of our citizens and our hard work, that it is wrong. Those who make a life living off welfare are the leaches I'm talking about. (I have an autistic cousin who works and lives independently, she does need some help. I agree with help for the mentally ill and disabled. She had no control over what happened to her, and there are people who need help. I don't think any of us really object to that kind of help!!)
I actually saw "generations" of people who being on Welfare was a "way of life". Grandmothers, daughters and their daughters, all signing up for their welfare checks. It was truly "generational". The ones I remember were TOTALLY able bodied.
Thanks for pointing out that our Constitution encourages people to do well, and says NO WHERE that they should be PUNISHED or PENALIZED for doing so!!
But those who make something of themselves and follow dreams are those whose accomplishments benefit humanity and raise the standard of living worldwide.
One individual pursuing his own desires can do more for humanity than every government program or socialist society, funded through confiscatory taxes, that has ever existed. The fact is that the sum of government programs is most likely negative.
But aside from the impracicality of it, the idea of the government controlling private property, and with it, private lives, is just plain evil on the face of it.