ihopehefails
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- Oct 3, 2009
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- #1
The original Jefferson saying of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness does not make a lot of sense because in other Jefferson writings he suggest that government exist to secure those things but how is it possible for government to secure the third item which is "happiness". Did this mean that government should secure your right to pursue monster energy drinks, anti-depressents, and other things that would help you to achieve happiness? What about other pieces of property such as land, homes, cars, food, and any other material possession you might be able to acquire? Why would the government only exist to secure those items but not other pieces of property?
I believe that Jefferson borrowed his slogan from Locke which went something like this Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Property but altered it because of the slavery issue and if this is correct (which I am not sure I am entirely correct) then it would make more sense to believe that Jefferson and many of the founders believed that government existed to secure three things. The first thing is your life as in protecting you from violence either from your fellow citizens or invaders. The second thing is for Liberty as in to ensure it from being taken from you in some form. The third is to protect your right to property because what other thing secures your ability to retain control over your own property from either a foreign invader, domestic thief, or another person wishing to excercise control over your property than the government itself?
I believe that Jefferson borrowed his slogan from Locke which went something like this Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Property but altered it because of the slavery issue and if this is correct (which I am not sure I am entirely correct) then it would make more sense to believe that Jefferson and many of the founders believed that government existed to secure three things. The first thing is your life as in protecting you from violence either from your fellow citizens or invaders. The second thing is for Liberty as in to ensure it from being taken from you in some form. The third is to protect your right to property because what other thing secures your ability to retain control over your own property from either a foreign invader, domestic thief, or another person wishing to excercise control over your property than the government itself?