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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Declaration of Independence: A Revolutionary Document - By Sen. Bernie Sanders
Saturday, July 5, 2014
As we celebrate this July 4th weekend, it's important that we not forget the profound vision embodied in the Declaration of Independence.
"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."
Today, while the very rich become richer, the poor become poorer and the middle class disappears, the top 1% owns more wealth than the bottom 90%, and 95% of all new income goes to the top 1%.
Today, in terms of life expectancy, poverty has become a death sentence. With better health care, education and nutrition, the top 1% has seen an increase in their longevity. They now live 12 years longer than the people at the bottom of the economic ladder, people who are actually seeing a decline in how long they live.
Today, while it is projected that 60% of the electorate will not vote in the next national election because they don't see much to vote for, the top 1% will be spending hundreds of millions to elect candidates to make them even richer.
Remember the Declaration of Independence: "...... governments are instituted among Men (and we would add Women), deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that when any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it...."
Now is the time to alter our government. Now is the time to stop the movement toward oligarchy. Now is the time to create a government which represents all Americans, and not just the 1%.
No more excuses. We must all become involved in the political process.
Happy July 4th weekend.
Bernie
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/the-declaration-of-independence-a-revolutionary-document
merrily
(45,251 posts)Oscarmonster13
(209 posts)I agree wholeheartedly. Had a hard time "celebrating" yesterday because of these sentiments exactly...
But is it really possible to stop the corporate plutocracy? The OWN ALL of the current "elected" officials and most of the SCOTUS as well... how to overthrow THAT? Bernie's right, but how to stop it when we are all "owned" by it in one way or another? complacency wins every time... :/ *sigh*
msongs
(67,394 posts)Maedhros
(10,007 posts)I'm all for tamping down hero-worship of the "Founding Fathers", but in the context of Senator Sander's statement isn't this a bit diversionary?
bigtree
(85,986 posts). . . and made part of our constitution to better represent those original sentiments; "that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men . . ."
Cha
(297,123 posts)Bernie Sanders.. mahalo bigtree.
bigtree
(85,986 posts). . . to inspire future generations with his progressive ideals to act on them in the legislative arena. He's a very solid, and also a very considerate individual. I'm looking forward with appreciation for and interest in his involvement in the upcoming campaigns and elections.
Cha
(297,123 posts)use our energy to give the President and our Country a Win in November, first.
I love Bernie's Mission!