These are our inalienable rights under the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776. Why did our forefathers put the word "pursuit" before happiness? Simple, the government does not guarantee your happiness.
You're on your own on that one.
2007-05-15 04:37:52 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Mike - The world does not revolve around law school.
2007-05-15 04:52:22 · update #1
Must be too early for a couple of our participants. Grouches. Stop a few minutes to smell the roses.
2007-05-15 04:57:42 · update #2
very true.... but happiness isn't socialized health insurance.... happiness isn't money.... happiness isn't low/high taxes... and happiness isn't public schools... .
but many liberals believe that the government helping out in these things can help give you the best shot to "pursue happiness"... and for the nation as a whole to grow stronger...
2007-05-15 05:18:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you strayed off course back at happiness. It means different things to different people and everyone gets to define their own. So while some couples are perfectly content to live together without marriage, that should be a choice, not the only game in town. Common sense would be the judge. Anyone with a heart and half of a brain can tell when they are imposing their will on an unwilling victim. Edit: Boiler - This country has so many laws on the books about marriage that it's not even funny. So you can't really believe that marriage is strictly a religious institution, can you? All you need to get married is a license. No church, no ordained minister are required.
2016-05-18 21:30:49 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Government cannot guarantee your happiness.
Happiness is not directly related with wealth and high life standards your government can provide you.
I've read in the newspapers lately that according to a research, Bangladesh has the happiest people on earth, while it is probably the poorest country. Some wealthy European countries and USA are very far from Bangladesh on this list.
Now tell me, what does Bangladesh government do to its people?
You have to find and create your own happiness. This is the meaning of "pursuit".
2007-05-15 04:46:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Good points. The government will do it's best to guarantee us our lives, to guarantee us our liberty, but they cannot guarantee happiness. The can only guarantee us the right to pursue our own happiness.
2007-05-15 07:48:20 · answer #4 · answered by 12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In England they people were always being oppressed by government. The USA was to be free from totalitarism. They had a Central church that nobody was allowed to disagree with. We here have the freedom of religion and are free to follow God the was we see his word and don't need the guidelines set by a man who could interpret the bible in which ever way he chose. Hence the pursuit of happiness is the following of God.
2007-05-15 04:50:28 · answer #5 · answered by Stephen 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The Government acquires its power and authority from the People.. They are there to serve the People and the Country. You cannot have Leaders without followers..Those who serve are there to do whats best for the People and the Country.. If they do not then they need to be eliminated...
2007-05-15 05:15:58 · answer #6 · answered by dca2003311@yahoo.com 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What if we've been misreading that all these years? Maybe Happiness was a guy that all the founders hated, and thought everyone should have the inalienable right to hunt down! I'll bet Happiness was a morning person. ;)
2007-05-15 04:41:59 · answer #7 · answered by Beardog 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Agreed. And the government won't help people have their own way if the happiness they pursue is unConstitutional, either.
ADDED: Mike, it's not so moot after all. It is a favorite phrase that people use to describe our rights as people, that our government cannot take away. It has probably been cited to in cases 5,000 times.
2007-05-15 04:43:26 · answer #8 · answered by Shrink 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋
YES! It is up to you to pursue it, and success is not guaranteed. Make your own decisions and deal with the consequences. Good luck to all in your pursuit!
2007-05-15 04:42:22 · answer #9 · answered by ItsJustMe 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Good point. but closer to the Supreme Law of the Land, the Constitution, for example, declares that the document (and therefore, the people) *PROVIDE* for the common defense, but *PROMOTE* the general welfare. Most libs, especially here on Y!A, believe that the government must *PROVIDE* for individual welfare.
ADDITION: BIZARRE! Quote the Constitution, and get a lib thumbs down. Guess the particular lib does not agree with me on the "promote" clause, and truly believes that the Constitution mandates that the government *PROVIDE* for individual welfare.
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THE LIB THUMBS DOWN
MY BADGE OF HONOR!
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2007-05-15 04:50:03 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋