Our Federated Republic
Independence Day, for as long as I remember, has been a time for a little quiet reflection on the blessing God gave me to be born and live free in the U.S.A. I first wrote this blog article on July 4, 2016 and am amending it today. AWO Life, Liberty, The Pursuit of Happiness 2016 Amended 2020 Art Olstead “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”. Thomas Jefferson; Declaration of Independence, 4, July 1776 These unalienable rights are further defined by the Bill of Rights. Ratified 1779 Happiness depends on the extent to which our needs are satisfied. Basic needs (food, shelter and clothing) must be met before individuals can pursue ...