Patriotism and History

Now, more than ever before in my life, I am beginning to realize exactly how incredible the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are, not only as prime specimens of how far grammar and syntax have fallen since 1776, but for the way they make allowances for all kinds of change in the government. I don't have time to write a real post right now, so I'll leave you with my favorite paragraphs of the Declaration.

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 to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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.

Reading those words sends thrills up my backbone every time--our Founding Fathers knew their business!