An Independence Day suggestion...

[Beemerguy53]

Every year on Independence Day, at some point, I sit down and read the Declaration of Independence.

Every time I read it, I marvel at the audacity of Jefferson and the others, writing that all men were created equal, and that this was a "self-evident" truth...at a time when the world thought otherwise, when kings were in charge of most countries, and everybody "knew" that some men were born to rule, and some were born to be ruled.

I've often imagined King George laughing at the impudence of the Founders when he first read the Declaration, and I've thought about the confidence of his generals, who surely thought they could defeat the colonists easily and quickly, and how shocked they must have been to lose that war.

When my sons were young, I would read the Declaration aloud to them every Independence Day. I explained to them that this is our nation's birth certificate, and that they need to know what it says...that the day isn't about parades and fireworks and barbecues; it's about liberty, and destiny, and the right of free people to govern themselves...and how they must never take their freedom for granted.

Here it is...the most important and stirring paean to liberty ever written...

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives

 

[Jessie]

Good idea. I haven’t really read it in a long time. That and some more of our founding documents.
Make it a great 4th!

 

[Rustyt1953]

This is pocket sized. All of my grandchildren have one. This one is Logan's.

I think no kid should be without one.

 

[Jessie]

I have that one
Correction, not that one but these...

 

[pmanton]

Every one of those heroes signed their own death warrant had England won.
What men they were!!

 

[Golddollar]

Every one of those heroes signed their own death warrant had England won.
What men they were!!

They certainly were. When I was in the Civics and Law Academy that the local bar association sponsored, I used to quote the ending of the Declaration ("Pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor") to the high school students who attended, in order to show them what the Founder Fathers did meant to them as men of education and substance.

I did this for a few years, then all of a sudden I realized that the Academy was held and I didn't know about it. I have my suspicions but I probably can't say what I think here.

 

[Sistema1927]

Somewhere around here I have a leather bound pocket edition with the Declaration, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution.

I guess since I can't find it that these will have to do at present.

 

[Rudi]

Mine is sitting right here. Will read it for sure.

 

[chief38]

My suggestion would be to try and EDUCATE as many young people and Mellennial's as possible. Get them to look and read the Constitution (which I'd bet most have never done). Instead of just reading it by yourself, try to get a younger person involved in reading it with you.

I know it's frustrating and mind boggling that younger people are clueless about our Constitution, but we can and should never give up trying. One person at a time! That's how the other side got this Country to where we are now!

 

[6518John]

$4.4 million would get me very patriotic, until the IRS came calling!

$4.4 Million dollar copy of Deceleration Of Independence. Check your attic's! (All I found in mine was a dead mouse and some old clothes).


Declaration of Independence copy found in Scottish attic sells for $4.4M

 

[Jon651]

In the past when discussing legal issues with folks, they would quote the Declaration of Independence as an argument.

More than a few times I had to remind them that the Declaration of Independence isn't law - it was a "Dear John" letter! Or in our case, "Dear George..."

 

[Beemerguy53]

My suggestion would be to try and EDUCATE as many young people and Mellennial's as possible. Get them to look and read the Constitution (which I'd bet most have never done). Instead of just reading it by yourself, try to get a younger person involved in reading it with you.

I know it's frustrating and mind boggling that younger people are clueless about our Constitution...

Oh, it's not just young people. Americans of all ages have no idea what the Constitution actually says or what it means. And the Declaration of Independence is so politically incorrect by our current standards that no public figure or elected official would dare read it aloud!

 

[Breakaway500]

I declare my independence every waking morning. Unfortunately most in todays society expect the gubbermint or someone else to care for them.

 

[chief38]

A great idea - and you might want to have your kids and Grandkids present and let them read some out-load wile doing so. Not a bad idea for all of us!

 

[JJEH]

In the past, the NRA online shop had it available for purchase. It was framed too. Unfortunately I can't find it anymore... :-/

 

[mmb617]

A lot of people today think the constitution is out dated and no longer relevant to the modern world. Of course they've never actually read it, nor would they understand it if they did. They just parrot what the modern educational system has taught them.

It's almost hard to imagine the depth of foresight and wisdom the founding fathers had to be able to draft such a document.