This month’s issue: Two powerful, but often ignored, Principles of Responsibilities found in Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence (DI)— namely: 1. "to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them," and 2. "That to secure these Rights ... 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, ..."

Question # 1: Was he telling America it must live by "the Laws of Nature’s God" and be involved, to preserve its freedoms?

Editors Note: These 2 principles, signed off on by all 56 signers of the DI, provide powerful insights into the Founding Father’s (FF’s)understanding of the role God played in the creation of America, its Constitution, and the source of America’s unique freedoms. Understanding these "Principles of Responsibilities" becomes more important as America struggles on the 216^th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution with a number of issues that can be "destructive" to America’s freedoms.

Answer: Jefferson was telling America that it must live by "the Laws of Nature’s God," be ever alert, and involved, if it expects to preserve its "unalienable Rights" of freedom - Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. With these 2 principles Jefferson is telling all Americans there are "unalienable Responsibilities" that come with "unalienable Rights" - the laws of Nature, and of Nature’s God - plus a constant vigilance.

The FF’s Comments regarding Principle # 1. In 1802 Jefferson wrote "a wall of separation between church and state" in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association. Today’s Supreme Court’s interpretation of these words is removing God from our nation’s government and classrooms. They have purposely ignored other Jefferson writings that strongly suggest the need for God’s influence, and strong moral teachings in our government and classrooms. In 1781 he wrote "...God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God." ..<<>>.. Other FF’s who understood God’s role in the creation of America, and His continuous influence, include Alexander Hamilton who wrote "Natural liberty is a gift of the beneficent Creator, to the whole human race; and that civil liberty is founded in that; and cannot be wrested from any people, without the most manifest violation of justice;" Benjamin Franklin who wrote "Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God," and "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters;" and John Adams who wrote "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." ..<<>>.. Current Court decisions also ignore its own precedents. In 1963 the Court wrote "The state may not establish a "religion of secularism" in the sense of affirmatively opposing or showing hostility to religion, thus "preferring those who believe in no religion over those who do believe." ... refusal to permit religious exercises thus is seen, not as the realization of state neutrality, but rather as the establishment of a religion of secularism." (In Abington Township v Schempp)

Observations regarding Principle # 2. Read its words carefully. Note how these words suggest it is the "right, yes even the responsibility of the people" to change those forms of government that become "destructive." The wisdom of the FF’s foresaw the need for occasional change and provided for change in Article V - by amendment the Constitution can make needed change to overcome "destructive" administration of law or principles of freedom. ..<<>>.. This "Principle of changing ‘destructive’ government" began when the FF’s realized The Articles of Confederation were not working, called for a constitutional convention, and in 1787 changed their "ineffective and destructive" Articles when they wrote, and adopting a new Constitution. ..<<>>.. Our government has faced many trying times since 1776, but each time oppressed peoples rose up and solved the problem by stating "enough is enough," by having faith in humankind, and by turning to the Principles of freedom found in the Constitution. ..<<>>.. Examples of "oppressed people movements" in America that led to change by amendment or new laws include 1. the Civil Rights movement - it began in 1787 with open debate of the slavery issue, then compromised, then ignored when time for implementation came. Amendments 13 and 14 addressed this issue in the 1860s after the Civil War, but lingered until the 1960s when the assassination of Martin Luther King brought forth new civil rights laws based on the amended Constitution; 2. The Woman’s Suffrage movement was strongly opposed, but it changed America with the passage of the 19^th Amendment in 1920; 3. The Labor movement that began in the mid 1800s, cumulating in the 1940s when new laws allowed labor unions to represent millions of workers nationwide. ..<<>>.. And amendments have been repealed. The 18^th Amendment established prohibition, the 21^st Amendment repealed it. ...<<>>.. In 1913 America adopted the 16^th Amendment. It has led to oppressive and unfair tax legislation, for all Americans, rich and poor, that is "destructive" and it needs to be repealed, just like the 18^th Amendment. "Americans for Fair Taxation" are to today’s overtaxed Americans what all those who fought for civil rights, woman’s suffrage, and better labor conditions of the past were. Study their web site at www.fairtax.org ..<<>>.. American taxpayers today have the opportunity to say "enough is enough" by electing congressmen who have the courage of the FF’s and who see that tax change is needed, then with conviction will pass HR 25, the FairTax bill now before congress. It can and will change America for the better. Become informed. Study, ponder and learn how it will save Social Security, Medicare, return industry and jobs to America, and how it will benefit you with larger paychecks, workers and retirees alike. Our Responsibility is to be informed and then to act with courage. ..<<>>.. Can America preserve its freedoms by ignoring Jefferson’s words regarding "the Laws of Nature’s God," or to make needed changes when change is needed? Not likely! The FF’s established America as a "deity-based" nation. Recent Court rulings are changing America to a "non-deity-based" secular-humanistic nation. It is a matter of "Whose Belief System" America wants to governed by - deistic or secular humanistic. America’s cherished freedoms are at stake. ..<<>>.. To review past Observations go to www.cacp.info - For Skousen books on government go to www.nccs.net or call 800-388-4512. Become involved in preserving America’s Freedoms - e-forward this e-newsletter to 50 friends, family or associates. Help inform them. Now, until October - DSC