“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.”
Of all the
sentences on the whole planet, throughout the history of mankind, this is the
one sentence our Founding Fathers chose as the first statement in our first
document on July 4th, 1776, our first day. This one proposition
declaring who we are and what we stand for. This one sentence defines an
American. This is what everyone’s first thought should be when they see an
American. Once prompted, we all know,
this is where we start.
This is
America’s one Founding Principle. This is America’s Essence. The very genesis
of our beloved Individual Liberty. Every
single one of us declared different and unique.
This is how we are all equal.
This our common bond. A tribe of
one, one tribe of all.
“All are
created equal” should be America’s rally cry – cheered on by hundreds of millions
of patriotic Americans.
This website
is dedicated to remind us who we are. To
ask the question, “How important is our Founding Principle to us?” It is
dedicated to stress the magnitude of this Principle’s importance, to stress
that it truly warrants demanding the ultimate discussion that America and the
world needs to have. It is dedicated to remind us to prioritize this Principle.
This is not some Supreme Court decision, not a sacred Amendment, this is not
even our over-arching Constitution. This is what all of that is built upon.
This is our very Foundation and it has been forgotten, lost, abandoned or
reasoned away.
If we wish
to remain a world leader, we must remember what got us here in the first place.
We must remember that our strength comes from this Principle, not from hardware
and steel. We must remember who we are. We must find the heart of America again. We must stay the course of our beloved
country. As Americans, we must reason
for our Founding Principle, not against it.
This is our choice. Are we indeed
the New World or do we go back to the ways of the old world?
This website is dedicated to ask the question – “What does ‘all are created equal’ even mean?” Why it’s so important. How it relates to our everyday life. The possible potential of its implementation, and, as history shows, the likely consequences of ignoring it. That one simple, yet most complex and profound sentence. The very bedrock of America on which all else is built. The genius of our forefathers barely fathomable.
Tens of
thousands fought and died to create this nation based on this principle. Our
Civil War cemeteries bear the souls of hundreds of thousands brave Americans
who fought and died to preserve this principle. Countless others, before and
after, have sacrificed their lives and their fortunes for this one principle.
Yet, how much do we speak of this noble cause for which so much has been sacrificed? You can listen for it yourself. How often do we hear discussions on news or talk shows? How often do we read articles in magazines or newspapers on America’s Founding Principle? Around friends or family? How often do we simply hear the words, “…all are created equal…” or, “unalienable”? We don’t. It’s almost or actually is taboo.
I’m sure
there is more to it than this, but I believe most of us, if not all, have a
collective sub-conscience guilt. We all have prejudices. We haven’t completely
gotten the “all men are created equal” thing yet. We can’t help pre-judging
based on past experiences. Some of us more than others, but we all do it. It’s
human, it’s in our survival DNA. Something different equals danger. Anyone who
says they’re not biased is in denial or lying. But most of us know, down deep,
we’re not there yet and we don’t want to admit it.
I think if
we all face this, realize it in ourselves and others. If we finally see that
our Founding Principle is the goal we are dedicated to, and that 1776 was only
the kickoff. Then we can have this most imperative national discussion.
For we have
reached a tipping point. Many politician’s very platform and many of the millions
who support it, overtly mock our Founding Principle. The Principle which grants
us all our beloved Individual Rights. Banning
people based on religion? Grouping all Mexicans as one? If millions of People’s
Individual Liberty can be flushed away and that’s OK, then who are we? We have
completely forgotten our Founding Principle. This is America’s Essence being
burned while the crowds cheer. It could just as well have been our flag.
If we cannot
draw the line here, at our very Founding Principle – there is no other “where
then?” after that.
Do we allow
tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, countless others before and after to
have died in vain? Do we allow government of the people, by the people, and for
the people to perish from this earth? All of America is built on our Founding
Principle. We too, owe it our full measure of devotion.
If we truly Love America, at its very foundation, from our ultimate bedrock, at her very core. If we truly Love who we are meant to be as Americans, then this is our patriotic duty. Do not let her go silently into the night. We must ask ourselves and every American you can – “What is America’s one Founding Principle?” Think about and discuss the most important sentence in history. If nothing else, just this simple request every single one of us can do. Say the words out loud, “…all are created equal…” “America’s one Founding Principle.” Please, just make people hear the words once again. For no one can unring our Liberty Bell, even if it has a crack in it.
