quote:Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
As far as rights go, many of us here in the US take for granted that we have certain "unalienable rights" and don't think much more about how we got them or what they even are? Mr.Jefferson certainly had a way with words and really knew how to turn a phrase. There really has never been another like him.
Our declaration of Independence was rooted in several documents; piecemeal so to speak and was a little watered down form what some were working for.
The idea that all men have "unalienable rights", when this was written was a slap in the face to Kings and Queens. The idea that some one without generations behind his name could be meaningful. The idea that someone besides these with elite heritage could be an equal was deplorable to the elitist.
While this was not originally specifically for slaves and women, those who founded this country wanted to; many of them at least. As George Washington had pointed out, he wanted to free slaves and become an independent nation but he agreed both could not be done right away; but they wanted to lay down right which would lead to that as well.
George Washington had it in his will that his slaves be freed when he and his wife pass. After he passed his wife began freeing the slaves and many of them stayed. In the end our country lead the world in freeing slaves yet the opposite is often viewed.
As for FDR, his social programs were pulling down our country. WWII saved us from him in his 3rd term. FDR did a few good things such as the soil reclamation act but in the end we still have social programs from him which are drowning this country and have created a group or society of people who live off the country instead of work for the country. This percentage gets bigger every year because of these programs.