Posted under: Thoughts
You know, when the old men made that declaration up, they must have tried to make that phrase as simple as possible knowing that in reality, it’s not that simple.
Everyone is entitled to a life, right? But nowadays, does that include fetuses too? How about the old that would rather sign a DNR (do not resuscitate) form when admitted to the hospital? How about children of poverty, children of third world countries, children of diseases? Does the phrase apply only to Americans? Does the phrase apply only to those who “deserve” it?
What about liberty? To have liberty is basically to have freedom and again, that comes with so many strings attached. What are our freedoms? Even The Bill of Rights has its limits which for the most part, aren’t really as free as you may think they are. I don’t even want to go into the details of The Bill of Rights right now either, but you get the point. Our liberties aren’t really as free as we thought they were.
Lastly, there’s that pursuit of happiness. That stupid pursuit has so much crap in the way, with many obstacles stemming from the life and liberty issues. What does it really mean to be on that pursuit? Is it trying to say that because we are human, we are insatiable and will never be happy? Or is it saying that we may have the right to a pursuit, but whether or not we can even reach a reasonable goal in that pursuit is questionable.
I don’t really know if it all makes sense, but I’m just sitting here thinking that these three things are supposed to be our rights, our inalienable rights, yet they don’t really seem too much like the, do they? Or maybe it’s just me.
| 2.8 |
Tags: liberty, Life, pursuit of happiness
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Melinda voiced:
Friday, November 23, 2007 @ 4:10 pm GMT-8
IMO, they probably weren’t thinking of all the different life circumstances that one could experience when they made the declaration. I mean, sure, some, if not most of it, makes sense, but then there’s stuff in it that is nearly impossible to do unless you have a lot of money and have no ‘real’ problems.
Yeeeaaah. Anyways, just my two cents :D.
Julie voiced:
Saturday, November 24, 2007 @ 5:47 pm GMT-8
Well you have a point. It’s hard to achieve happiness, but we do have the right to try, that’s why we attempt to keep our government fair and just, rather than having a king who controls people so much that they can’t even think for themselves. I don’t think total freedom can ever be achieved but Americans are certainly more free than some other countries. And of course we all have the right to live, though not everyone has the same definition of life, if we choose to live, we live. If that makes sense.
Anna commented:
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 @ 9:37 pm GMT-8
That’s what I call food for thought. But I’ve never actually looked at it in that way. I don’t know why. But it’s an interesting thought and I’m gonna sleep on it and get back to you. Plus, it could also have something to do with the fact that I’m not American, even though I know what you’re talking about, that I have no opinion right away. Thought it’s something that the world needs to think about as well…..Okay, I’m rambling. It’s 5:30am where I am and I’m talking nonsense. But I think you did bring up a really good point. Worth a serious discussion.
Caitlin said:
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 @ 11:27 am GMT-8
I enjoy blogs so full of thought like this one!
I agree with you though, so it’s not just you :]
Candy shouted:
Friday, November 30, 2007 @ 2:51 pm GMT-8
interesting take on this. But what does the state have anything to do with promoting happiness?
Gem expressed:
Sunday, December 2, 2007 @ 1:42 am GMT-8
I completely agree with you!!
I think its so sad that people in other countries are dying because they don’t have enough food/clean water or even any medication to treat simple things that could eventually kill them.
Maria said:
Monday, December 3, 2007 @ 11:57 pm GMT-8
Melinda,
Yeah, unfortunately, for those who live the “normal” middle-class life, we don’t get all the privileges that these men put forth.
Maria replied:
Monday, December 3, 2007 @ 11:58 pm GMT-8
Julie,
That makes sense. True, developed countries are better off than others, but at the same time, so many limitations. But you’re right, it’s all to keep everybody in check.
Maria stated:
Monday, December 3, 2007 @ 11:59 pm GMT-8
Anna,
You don’t necessarily have to be American to get the whole point of it all, but then again, trying to properly think at 5:30am is a challenge.
Maria responded:
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @ 12:00 am GMT-8
Caitlin,
Thank you for the kind words. I try to keep this particular blog interesting enough to keep people coming back.
I’m glad it’s not just me. It lets me know I’m as crazy as I sometimes I think I am.
Maria typed:
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @ 12:01 am GMT-8
Candy,
The state doesn’t really have to do anything, but protect it, in a sense anyway. That was point of the declaration. It was to ensure the happiness of the people and by doing so, had to put forth what needed to be done in order to those citizens to be happy.
Maria typed:
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @ 12:02 am GMT-8
Gem,
Yes, it is very difficult to hear in the news, in the magazines about others’ suffering.