I rembered that the goverment changed something about
Life, Liberty and Property
to
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Hapiness
So my question is that
Is it my constitutional right to be happy??
2006-08-29 16:08:31 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Different parts of the constitution use different phrases.
The "life, liberty, property" phrase is in the Due Process clause of the 5th and 14th Amendments.
Pursuit of happiness is one of the "inalienable rights" referenced in the Declaration of Independence. The US Supreme Court (since 1873) has also said that "Rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are equivalent to the rights of life, liberty, and property. These are fundamental rights which can only be taken away by due process of law".
2006-08-29 16:10:53 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
In the Declaration of Grievances from the First Continental Congress of 1774, it was, as you say, ownership of property. That is, government cannot take away what is yours.
It was changed to 'Pursuit of Happiness' to include ownership of property as well as other activities with which people enrich their lives such as religious faith and free expression (the source of the First Amendment).
You do NOT have a Right to Be Happy. You only have a basic Human Right to make your best effort at it according to your own ability and interest in doing so.
The Constitution forbids government from imposing prior restraint on your pursuit of happiness by taking away your property to give to others, interfering with your religious freedom, interfering with your freedom to speak your mind, etc. It does not in any way guarantee you positive results of your own efforts.
As Leftists have gained more and more influence in this country, the very meaning of the Bill of Rights has been severely distorted.
2006-08-29 16:15:43 · answer #2 · answered by speakeasy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it was actually Pursuit of Property, not just property,
the pursuit of happiness means that u may have ur freedoms, but u cant do anything that will badly effect others, or do something that wont make them happy
having the right to life and liberty should make u happy, go to north korea and u dont have those options, or go anywhere in the middle east except israel
2006-08-29 16:13:12 · answer #3 · answered by Ev 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This is not from the US Constitution, it is from the Declaration of Independence, from an assertion that the pursuit of happiness is an unalienable right.
So, no the Constitution does not say it is your right to be happy.
2006-08-29 17:01:19 · answer #4 · answered by Marsh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well...I don't know if you CAN be happy, but you're allowed to pursue happiness--unless that pursuit makes the present administration unhappy...so, oh, hell, I guess the answer is "no", then!
2006-08-29 16:26:39 · answer #5 · answered by Joey's Back 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pursuit of Happiness....pursue away.
2006-08-29 16:59:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course not.
You have the right to PURSUE happiness...doing the things that make you happy, provided you do not impinge on the constitutional rights of others in doing so...
2006-08-29 16:14:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it would if those words were in the constitution. They're not. They're in the Declaration of Independence.
2006-08-29 16:49:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but not at the expense of others rights or breaking the laws of the US of A.
2006-08-29 16:14:01 · answer #9 · answered by rltouhe 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hey Moe! they aint happy
2006-08-29 16:26:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋