"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness"

by Elias Seife


Trusting in their GOD and seeking divine intervention Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Benjamin Franklin among others founded this country on the principles of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. These "truths are held to be self-evident". They founded this country on the rights of the individual, not the state, not the family, and not the church.

The Declaration of Independence, projected not only the independence of the colonies but confirmed the principle that every person, since birth, and of all nations, have certain inalienable GOD given rights.

Today a Cuban boy is fighting for his inalienable GOD given rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. These GOD given rights far outweigh any parental custody rights. And with all the due respect to the Attorney General of the United States, Elian Gonzales, miraculously rescued at sea, has the right to seek Political Asylum because he fled from Cuba, a society that has proven to violate every single universally accepted individual right. If the boy's father wishes to be a slave and live in a slave state that is his right, but he does not have the right to force his child, who has a life of his own, to live in slavery with him. The boy's father has no right to infringe on his son's inalienable individual right to freedom. To repatriate this boy to Cuba would be a reprehensible act if we consider that every person has inalienable GOD given rights. These rights may or may not be supported by United States Law. But if it isn't, it is our moral duty to change it, in the name of the principles on which this great nation was founded.

"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" is not just another phrase afforded by the Declaration of Independence, it is the cornerstone of what we are and project to the world. It was a visionary ideal inspired by our CREATOR. This ideal gives dignity to the life of every individual in the universe.

Be a worthy and proud descendant of George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison. Be a proud American. Stand up against injustice. Your country needs you today.

And if in the END we do not succeed, if Justice does not prevail, if slavery becomes an acceptable society, and I am forced to live in such a society, be assured that I will follow, another visionary and Great American's advice: "It is better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees." Jose Marti


April 8, 2000

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