Rael
02-17-2009, 09:30 PM
This from a chat in my online class, regarding the DOI:
Student: In light of the history that has just been made less than a month ago, I would have to say yes, the principles outlined in the early sections of the Declaration of Independence are still operative. It reads, "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government...as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." Despite the fact that the Declaration of Independence is still in a progressive state, meaning all of its intentions have yet to be fulfilled, throughout the past two and a half centuries, transitional steps have been made in the right direction. I responded to these principles when I exercised my voting right in the November election. The Declaration of Independence set out to acknowledge my freedom and liberty as a human, but also my obligation in securing and putting to use these same freedoms.
Me:I would argue that the Declaration is in a regressive state and has been so for many years. The people in control have no intention of fulfilling the intentions of the DOI.
Teacher: Rael, I doubt we can know the "intention" of "the people in control." We can be sure of what we see, which is that our country has elected a new President and seems to be making progress towards respecting the communal will of the voters.
My response: I would have to disagree with you on this point. Their intentions are clear based on their actions: More war, more spending, more hidden taxes through inflation. We do have a new president but so far the only difference I see is that he has (D) next to his name instead of an (R).
The communal will of the voters is not necessarily compatible with the Declaration. In the past, the communal will of the voters has favored slavery, Nazism, and many other evil practices. As Ben Franklin is reported to have said, "Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner."
He probably also didn't like the fact that in my assigned post I called for the people to peaceably take advantage of the DOI's state right to alter or abolish the government. :D
Student: In light of the history that has just been made less than a month ago, I would have to say yes, the principles outlined in the early sections of the Declaration of Independence are still operative. It reads, "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government...as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." Despite the fact that the Declaration of Independence is still in a progressive state, meaning all of its intentions have yet to be fulfilled, throughout the past two and a half centuries, transitional steps have been made in the right direction. I responded to these principles when I exercised my voting right in the November election. The Declaration of Independence set out to acknowledge my freedom and liberty as a human, but also my obligation in securing and putting to use these same freedoms.
Me:I would argue that the Declaration is in a regressive state and has been so for many years. The people in control have no intention of fulfilling the intentions of the DOI.
Teacher: Rael, I doubt we can know the "intention" of "the people in control." We can be sure of what we see, which is that our country has elected a new President and seems to be making progress towards respecting the communal will of the voters.
My response: I would have to disagree with you on this point. Their intentions are clear based on their actions: More war, more spending, more hidden taxes through inflation. We do have a new president but so far the only difference I see is that he has (D) next to his name instead of an (R).
The communal will of the voters is not necessarily compatible with the Declaration. In the past, the communal will of the voters has favored slavery, Nazism, and many other evil practices. As Ben Franklin is reported to have said, "Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner."
He probably also didn't like the fact that in my assigned post I called for the people to peaceably take advantage of the DOI's state right to alter or abolish the government. :D