Date: Friday, July 25, 2003
Subject: The purpose of social studies III

What do we as a nation hold dear?

For starters, let's start at the beginning. Quick, which document is so fundamental to our country that its signing is a national holiday? Ten foundational principles of our country are contained in the first paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence:

1. National Sovereignty

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station...

2. Natural Law

...to which the Laws of Nature and Nature's God entitle them...

3. Self-Evident Truths

We hold these truths to be self-evident,

4. Equality Before God

...that all men are created equal

5. God-Given (inherent) Rights

...that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,

6. The Right to Life

...that among these are Life,

7. The Right to Liberty

...Liberty,

8. The Right to Private Property

...and the pursuit of Happiness.

9. Government's Purpose: To Protect God-Given Rights

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men...

10. Popular Sovereignty

...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.