[tmbchr]™

Virginia Declaration of Rights



Hardly anyone really talks about the right of the people to abolish an unjust government any more, but to the Founding Fathers it was quite a big deal:

I That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

II That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; that magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to them.

III That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation or community; of all the various modes and forms of government that is best, which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety and is most effectually secured against the danger of maladministration; and that, whenever any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.

- Virginia Declaration of Rights (on Wikipedia)

Fascinating how much more direct and to the point that is than either the Declaration of Independence of the US Constitution!







6 Reader Responses

  1. Tim Boucher Says:

    Semi unrelated:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Glasnost_poster_1.jpg

  2. Julia Says:

    Just like the American Revolution was helped by France for their own reasons we (the CIA and Roman Catholic Church) helped the Solidarity movement. At the time TYPEWRITERS were required to be registered with the local authorities. So, we smuggled in typewriters to Poland.

  3. Tim Boucher Says:

    When you say “we” in what sense do you mean that?

  4. Julia Says:

    When you say “we” in what sense do you mean that?

    We as in the United States. There are a lot of Poles in Chicago so I know a lot about Polish history without really trying and I tend to think of modern revolutions along Polish lines because of that. If you mention Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, etc. to me I think of the subject in terms of what I know about Poland.

    The CIA and Roman Catholic Church are still “we” in the Cold War/Western Civilzation sense from that perspective. I’m 38 years old so I grew up thinking in Cold War terms.

  5. Tim Boucher Says:

    Just making sure you weren’t suddenly publicly admitting you work for the CIA, cause hey, who knows!

  6. Julia Says:

    I thought you already admitted that YOU worked for the CIA so we were all safe to talk about our jobs. Oops. Back to spy school for me. :)



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