“[A]ll power is originally vested in, and consequently derived from, the people. That government is instituted and ought to be exercised for the benefit of the people; which consists in the enjoyment of life and liberty and the right of acquiring property, and generally of pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. That the people have an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform or change their government whenever it be found adverse or inadequate to the purpose of its institution.”

You may aquire property and sell property, Before building on it, however, be sure and get the approval of the EPA and hope they don't find an "endangered" worm living there. The crazies in the environmental movement now control this country to a great extent, and it's getting worse by the day. And if you love our current gas prices, thank your local Sierra Club member and his ilk, and your congressman for listening to these socialist nuts.

Yes Mr. Madison.

Rights can't change, but governments can. Let's not confuse this with so-called 'democracy.' Whenever the government no longer respects the rights of its citizens, the citizens not only have the right to change it but the responsibility to do so, elections or not.

Absolute bull shit in Democracy-- Because there are no "indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible rights" in a Democracy (look at all of the other "Democracies" around the world that prohibit the same natural "unalienable" rights that our Republic specifically safeguards). This statement is VERY much influenced by the Enlightenment of Hume, Locke, Rousseau, and Voltaire... The Social Contract had to begin at some point; Rousseau really helped move this theory forward.

When I was a kid in school on a US base...I remember these words....we said them every morning... "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." That was in the 1960's. Did any one notice just when it stopped?

J it stopped because of the word god was in it. Also it is now commonly taught in our schools that the US is responsible for all evil in the world. Every person or country gets a get out of blame free card. Just say the US made me do it.

Warren, It isn't the "American People" at all. If anything "American" is responsible for the ills of the world...its corporate / government coercion and foreign policy combined and backed with the military. And even that is speculative...but sure as hell it isn't everyday Americans. They're great! :)

PS, are you sure it wasn't because the word "Republic" was in there? :)

Warren if you check it out the word God was not in it for about fifty years and the pledge was written by a Baptist Minister. The word God was added by do goodeer Republican politicians (greater theological minds that they are) under the leadership of Dwight D. Eisenhower. The nation was no more nor no less under God without that word in the pledge or with that word in the pledge. It was just another right wing political ploy and propaganda. Let me ask you if our nation is Under God does it mean that other nations are not Under God. Or are we more special because we are Under God and the others are not. As far as LIBERTY is concerned do you feel that forcing an individual to acknowledge divinity in this way is really very LIBERATING.

In the USA the people have rights, and the government has liberties. Liberties can be revoked by those grantors (the people) but rights derived by GOD cannot ever be revoked. That is if the people are awake,and have the courage to maintain those rights. They are never earned or kept easily. It is an eternal fight.

THAT'S the United States I love.What it used to be.NOT what it has become.

If nothing else, "Under God" or "In God We Trust" might mean simply that we acknowledge we are sovereign individuals with the "God Given" rights that go with it. The governments agenda isn't to get rid of "God". But in doing so they have one avenue of attack on our individual rights as they negate the term "God Given" rights. And all the while no one is forcing religion on you. So its an individual choice isn't it?

Great quote, but has nothing to do with today's government. Waffler, more stupid rhetoric from the left, a miss direction attempt to make boogy men exist where non existed before.. We are a Christian nation, not because the majority are Christians, (that would support your democracy) but rather because the truths that were discovered and set forth through a representative Constitutional Republic were discovered through Judeo/Christian history. The same truths could have been discovered through other religions but were recognized as an active God of Nature's providence. The under God truths protect the believer as well as the non-believer equally. Rights are inalienable as a faculty of birth.

What do (I) think? I think that Americans need to start acting like Americans again and take back our country. We were recognized world wide as an energetic, determined, and courageous people, that stood our ground, and refused to dominated or bullied by anyone. Where has our manliness gone?