How can I cope?

Question

... with the fact that so many people here confuse the US Constitution with the Declaration of Indepedence?

Every friggin day, I read some annoyingly contemplative post about the US Constitution, containing a statement to the effect that "CERTAIN INALIANABLE RIGHTS ... LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS" is a quote from the US Constitution. It's the Declaration of Independence, for crying out loud! The Declaration of Independence!! A different document, which, unlike the Constitution, has no force of law! (Though that's besides the point.)

Moreover, whenever I mention the simple fact that this language is from the Declaration of Independence and not from the Constitution, I get thumbed down like there is no tomorrow. What do people think -- that by force of public opinion, we can merge one into the other? Can we take a vote on whether the Earth is flat?

I am so mad, I can't even describe it. This is third-grade civics. Why are people so muscle-headed?? Why??

Sweetpea: I beg to differ. Being so ignorant as not only to confuse the two, but to purport to educate people about them -- that's what's "not normal". Being angry about it is totally normal; it would be abnormal not to. Our culture's emphasis on "sensitivity" and niceness over objectivity and truth -- as exemplified by your answer -- helps perpetuate such ignorance.

Fidget: I've never called anyone on his or her spelling. What I am complaining about is something else entirely. Confusing DOI with the Constitution is not exactly in the nature of a typo.

Answer 1

Because most people don't care about reality or facts or the law. They just want to be told they are correct (whether they are or not) and they refuse to actually listen to someone who is trying to help them get their facts straight.

I just had a long email debate with someone from the immigration forum, where I pointed out that the terms he was using had a different definition under the law than he thought they did, and that his analogy was incorrect because he wasn't using the proper legal terminology. He called my response invalid, because I defined the terms as they were actually used at law. In other words, if someone didn't agree with his skewed terminology, their response was invalid.

I usually make a few attempts to get people to actually look at the facts form an objective standpoint, and then give up if they seem determined to hold their opinions regardless of reality.

Don't let it frustrate you. Just put your efforts into the people who do want to learn something, and don't worry about those who are so locked into their delusions they refuse to think.

Answer 2

The real answer is that nearly everyone on this site is looking for specific answers. If an answer is posted and does not meet their expectations, then a thumbs down is given. It is a tough things to cope with, and I am not sure how to do it either.

I do have to say that the Declaration of Independence was legal document with force behind it. It was not part of the Constitution but it was the basis for that document as well.

It was an instrument used to notify the British of our intentions, that we would no longer be subjected to high taxes on everything we purchased, soldiers living in our homes, and not being able to truly own land, along with the slew of other tyrannical activities that occurred on a daily basis.

Answer 3

You have to understand that most people would not know the difference between George Washington and George Clooney. If the almighty press states that those phrases were in the Constitution then that must be true. Look around at what is going on in Congress right now. Does it look like any of our great leaders (sarcasm) are interested in facts. Facts are confusing and get in the way of politics. The Founding Fathers, who wrote both of those great documents are , I'm sure, rolling in their graves at the thought that a large percentage of Americans don't know the basic language of the two documents that shaped our nation. The basic problem is that people would rather agree with the masses even though they are wrong.

Answer 4

Your question speaks volumes about what passes for education in this country today. Of course it's third grade civics, the problem is that civics is no longer taught. Look to the liberal establishment that has been in charge of "public education" for the past 40 years or so, and you'll see how clear the answer is. The liberal/left is perfectly happy with students not knowing enough about; not only how the gov't functions, but how it came to be. This makes it so much easier to foster the agenda on young minds.

Answer 5

I get annoyed by that too, but I don't let it bother me that much. I've come to accept the fact that some people are idiots and always will be idiots.

Answer 6

It's called tolerance. Good for you for trying to educate people, but be gentle with people or you won't get heard at all.

By the way, the word is "inalienable" you spelled it wrong, but I'm not yelling or calling you idiot because of it.

Answer 7

I'm thinking you are strung just a little too tight and you are putting undue stress on yourself,. You may want to log off this site for awhile and take a look at yourself. Your anger and frustration is not normal, in fact quite the opposite.

Answer 8

Because they are stupid.

And don't know they are stupid. In fact, think they're smart.

And can't stand to have their ignorance pointed out.

Answer 9

Could they be misinformed, or maybe they have been out of school so long they've forgot. But, if you knew for a fact the world was going to end tomorrow, would it really matter?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Answer 10

"because they're stupid, that's why everybody does everything."

-Homer Simpson