NC Family Staff | July 4, 2023 | SHARE: 
On July 4th, 247 years ago, a monumental document was signed. The authors were men who had occupations such as law, business, farming, medicine, or ministry, and the purpose of the document was, in part, to explain and enumerate the colonist’s right to rebel against the British government and to establish their own. It makes sense, then, that there was a great deal of conviction behind this action, and much careful thought was put into the writing of this document. The truths and principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence have shaped the course of American history in many ways, and continues to shape much of the work that we do at NC Family. Let’s take a look.
“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.”
This document had to be concise, it had to be accurate, and it had to make its point in a powerful way. The fact that these were some of the lines that made it in the final draft speak to their importance in the eyes of the authors.
History has shown that whenever a group of people is seen as “less than” other groups, injustice and devastation abound. Our Founding Fathers had the foresight to acknowledge this as an integral part of the creation of a new country. While the execution of this principle was less than stellar (it took women and African Americans over 150 years to truly be seen as equal to others in the eyes of the government), this ideal is no less critical.
The purpose of a government is to help its citizens thrive, and this is summed up perfectly in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. While there are clearly limits to this right, it is an excellent basis for the purpose of a new government.
In stark contrast to a monarchy, America was always intended to be governed by the people. This is why we have regular elections. This type of accountability helps to keep leaders from assuming too much power and from failing to act in the best interest of the people they represent.
The stands that NC Family takes are based on many of the values expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
Finally, to go back to the part about the consent of the governed, this is where you come in. We highly encourage you to vote in every election you are able. We also urge you to actively and effectively engage and communicate with your elected officials once they are in office. Sharing your opinions about important issues is a vital part of how our elective form of government is intended to operate.
Happy Independence Day!!!
You can visit NC Family’s Action Center to learn more about how you can get involved.
