"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." ~ Thomas Jefferson et al. (Declaration of Independence)
At the time this was written, "Happiness" didn't
mean a transitory emotion, but a state of safety and wellbeing. In other words,
a decent life unthreatened by starvation or violence. The writers of this
declaration believed that it was a human right - given by God - to pursue a
decent, safe, and unthreatened life.
Later in that declaration, one of the grievances that was
that the King refused to let people...wait for it...immigrate to the colonies.
If we truly believe that "pursuit of happiness" is
a god-given, inalienable right, then we have no right to call for the building
of walls to prevent others from seeking that right. We have no right to insist
on laws that deny others that right. We cannot claim to believe in the equality
of mankind or the right to life, liberty, and wellbeing if we claim that one's
access to these should be limited to those with the good fortune to be born in
a particular place or with a particular skin color or economic status.
Congress and Mr.
Trump: Tear down this fucking wall.
The Berlin Wall comes down...
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