Word Association Anyone?

[Dennis1209]

Had some spare time and re-read the "Declaration of Independence" and our Constitution, and one word just jumped off the page, "tyranny" and tyrant. I'm not advocating anything, just making an observation on what our founding documents say and where we are today. tyr·an·ny

/ˈtɪr ə ni/ Show Spelled [tir-uh-nee] Show IPA

noun, plural tyr·an·nies.

1. arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.

2.the government or rule of a tyrant or absolute ruler.

3. a state ruled by a tyrant or absolute ruler.

4. oppressive or unjustly severe government on the part of any ruler.

5. undue severity or harshness.

 

Think we're there yet guys?

 

[Garufa]

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most, if not the most, powerful documents ever written in human history.

 

Unfortunately, it has no legal binding and is not the law of the land contrary to popular belief.

[Dennis1209]

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most, if not the most, powerful documents ever written in human history.

 

Unfortunately, it has no legal binding and is not the law of the land contrary to popular belief.

I beg to differ...

 

The Declaration of Independence is the foundation of our Constitutional law, as outlined in the Federalist Papers, writings by our founding fathers, etc. Legally, it once carried the same weight in law as our Constitution, and was quoted many times in history as law. I'm no lawyer, but I can read and understand.

 

IMHO, we need to revert back to a "Constitutional Republic" based on our Constitution and freedoms, and NOT a democracy based on the will of the people at any given emotional time in history.

 

Just my opinion and understanding, ya know?

[Garufa]

I stand corrected.  Thank you. 

 

A little bit of research has helped to rectify that notion I've had in my head for some time now.

[hipower]

Garufa, you can easily be forgiven for you misconception. We've been told for so long that The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, its Amendments, and the Bill of Rights are merely "Suggestions" and open to interpretation by the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court at any given time to suit whatever agenda is necessary. As Dennis has suggested, a return to our "orginal Constitutional Republic" would be a wonderful thing. Will it happen? Doesn't look like it.

[daddyo]

Many on the left seem to spend a lot of time and energy telling us that the Constitution is outdated. Wonder why they want us to think that?

[JayC]

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most, if not the most, powerful documents ever written in human history.

 

Unfortunately, it has no legal binding and is not the law of the land contrary to popular belief.

 

No it stands above the law of the land...  above the Constitution, because it defines where we as humans get our rights, not from laws but from our humanity.

 

It is a mission statement, it clearly defines that people have a right to be free, and if a government violates those rights, then it no longer is a legitimate government...  The People are then free to overthrow that government through violence.

 

We see this happening time and time again, in the middle east over the last 2 or 3 years, people overthrowing the tyrants.  Was the government of Egypt so much more oppressive than the government we live under today?