Meaning of Declaration of Independence to you?

Question

230 years after the event, what value has it in modern day America? Is it's message just history or is it a part of the fundamental building blocks of our country country. Are the things said in it legally a part of our government...at least in backing up the Constitution?

To "Paul Fost"..the Constitution has the advantage of being an amendable document and includes several things that are considered to be immoral today but were changed through the amendment process

My meaning is that the Declaration of Independence seems to go to the heart of the matter in describing what an American is and the Constitution seems to be the rules...and if it is a bonifide part of the Documentation and legitimacy of our nation, does what it says as powerful as the Constitution itself?

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their CREATOR, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.--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 becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that Governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed.

Answer 1

It is the foundation this great country was built upon!

Answer 2

Discussing the Constitution in a question about the Declaration of Independence is not necessary. The Declaration is a unified signal to Great Britain that we were thereforth severed politically and a sovereign political entity.

The Constitution was over a decade later in being ratified.

Answer 3

Think about this.."All men are created equal." Seriously, Wasn't the USA a slaving owning society at the time? It does not hold much legitimacy with me.

In terms of a document that is as legally binding as the Constitution


rlw said it best.....
"Discussing the Constitution in a question about the Declaration of Independence is not necessary. The Declaration is a unified signal to Great Britain that we were thereforth severed politically and a sovereign political entity.

The Constitution was over a decade later in being ratified."