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NorthernGent -> RE: Effective Gun Control in England (3/25/2007 5:08:29 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: petdave
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
In theory, it sounds good. No arguments with the theory.
In terms of the practicalities, the last sentence that I've highlighted below is worth considering:
and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Safety and happiness are subjective, fluid and open to propaganda. They are not absolute measures that everyone can stand by, understand and resist any infringement upon them. The government of the day can decide what constitutes happiness and safety and impose these upon the population through constant advertising of their view of safety and happiness (ultimately imposing their value system), thus rendering the population obedient and revolution improbable.
According to some, safety and happiness are achieved through imposing a value system in other parts of the world. I call this tyrannical, others call it the pursuit of democracy and preserving Western values. According to some, happiness is achieved through the market and consumerism. The point is: these are ideas rather than absolutes and the government of the day can generate new ideas of what constitutes and guarantees safety and happiness, and impose them upon the people.
For example, the Patriot Act - it is simply an idea, which many argue is a barrier to happiness, but they have imposed this upon the people.
For example, Iraq, the US government has overstepped the mark, but the people aren't anywhere near overthrowing the government. This is because "happiness" and "safety" are being guaranteed through the market economy and spreading an idea perceived to be superior and perceived to preserve a way of life.
In a nutshell, this is all built on the establishment's projection and ideas of what consitutes and guarantees happiness and safety.
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