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When in the Course of Human Events

Independence from Political PartiesBy John Smallwood

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 John Smallwood
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4389-8046-1

Chapter One

The Declaration of Independence will take most Americans less than 15 minutes to read. The following are some highlights:

1). "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the "political bands" which have connected them with another ... seeking separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and nature's god entitled them"

Notice: the reference to political bands ... not governments ... This simply recognizes that governments are constitued by political bands ... and these political bands may not have.... A decent respect to the opinions of mankind" ... or the citizens that are governed.

2). "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable (not to be taken away) rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". But: the reality of human existence is all men are not created under equal circumstances. And it is the circumstances to exercise these rights that governments are instituted to secure (not limit except as agreed by those governed). "That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their "just" powers from the consent of the governed,.... That whenever any form of government, or political process becomes destructive of these ends, it is the "right" of the people to alter or to abolish it".

Notice: the preferred method of change is through the electoral process, or voting, but as has been seen throughout history (and certainly the American experience) insurrection may be required. Governments should establish laws allowing a man/woman born of any circumstance to exercise their unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness equally!!!

3). ... "accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But, when a long train of ineffective government, it is their duty to throw off such government".

Notice: In the United States each election is the opportunity to continue the freedom revolution began on July, 4, 1776, but the people must be heard, and voting is the method to express discontent, and when necessary make changes!!! This is why the freedom to vote in "free" elections is paramount to the success of any democracy.

4). In the beginning of this exercise, I eluded to the "taxation without representation" reason for the separation and war with England. But the Declaration of Independence actually lists 27 reasons. Yes, 27 reasons. "for imposing taxes on us without our consent", is actually number 17. The first three reasons deal specifically with the nature of laws passed, denied, or even ignored.

Notice: in the United States, tax laws are passed by the legislative branches of our government with the members of that legislative branch elected in "free" elections.

The history of the United States pursuit of individual freedom for the citizens of the United States has recorded three major events: the Revolutionary War for Independence, the Civil War fought over the rights of freedoms for all United States citizens, and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's for equality of all races. It is notable major changes in the United States historically are brought about through violence of the citizens against their government, seeking equal rights for all citizens and ensuring the right of all those citizens the right to vote in "free" elections.

Chapter Two

Taking a view of revising the "Declaration of Independence", a review of what could be logically concluded regarding the intent of the document.

1.) "When in the course of human events" could today be worded ...

Revise: When in the course of human understanding of events. Simply because the "political bands" may, in fact, disparage those events to misdirect, or blur the events ... negating the "people's" ability to grasp the event(s).

2.) "It becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the "political bands" which have connected them with another" Clearly Jefferson intentionally did not use the word "governments", but chose to use "political bands". He later refers to "governments" as institutions, but here he states a clear understanding of the role of "political parties".

Revise: this statement should not be revised. It defines the relationship between "government" and those who wish to control the "government" the "political parties".

3.) "And to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the "separation".

Revise: "And to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station entitled to the consent of the governed by the laws of nature and nature's creator, a respect and reasonable understanding of the opinions of society requires that they should declare the abuses of both "political" and "governmental" powers which impel them to separation. Separation may be effected either by vote of the governed or armed resurrection as required by the response of the "political bands".

4.) "We hold these truths to be self-evident"

Revise: "We hold these truths to be inherently self-evident.

5.) "That all men are created equal",

Revise: that all human beings are created equal in their relationship with "government"

6.) "That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness",

Revise: "That they are endowed at their creation with certain unalienable rights, privileges and responsibilities, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

7.) "That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed",

Revise: that to secure these rights and privileges governments are instituted among men/women, deriving their just powers from the acknowledged consent of the governed.

8.) "That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it",

Revise: "That whenever any form of government, or "political bands", become destructive of these ends it is the "right and responsibility" of the citizens to alter or abolish them."

9.) "And to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness",

Revise: "And to institute new, or alter the existing government/political bands, laying its foundation on such...