Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

 The Declaration of Independence of the United States, has an interesting phrase in the second paragraph. Each citizen-so it goes-has the right of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

 Life implies health and medical care. Liberty implies freedom to think and to express one’s thoughts. Pursuit of Happiness implies studying, working, building a family and worshiping.

 Another word for these is “entitlements.” We deserve them or entitled to them as citizens. This concept is based on the fact that our nation is not a democracy. A democracy means that 51 % of the people can put 49% to death.

 We are a Republic. A Republic must take care of those in need. The indigent, the infirmed, the handicapped. Those in poverty, the elderly, the minorities, plus others.  

 Currently forty percent of our citizens are living in poverty. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there are 12,800,000 Americans on welfare. There are 46,700,000 Americans on food stamps.

 The racial percentage of Americans receiving Welfare benefits from the government are: Whites-38.8%; Black-39.8 %; Hispanic-15.7%: Asians-2.4%: Other-3.3 %.

 There are 5,600,000 Americans on unemployment insurance. These benefits can be considered entitlements along with the G. I. Bill for veterans and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).  

 These statistics should concern us: increasing poverty, the demise of the middle class and the concentration of wealth in the hands of 1 % of Americans.

WORDS TO THINK ABOUT

G. W. Abersold Ph.D.