Your Rights As An AMERICAN!!!

This was on my heart this morning when I went to the polls:

When the Founding Fathers stated in the Declaration of Independence, that "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."

As an American: I have the right to say what I want, when I want, to whomever I want. This is true.

It doesn't mean you SHOULD.

As an American: I have the liberty to speak out when I see injustice, and I have the right to defend myself when someone else tries to keep me from doing so.  This is also true.

It doesn't mean you INCITE VIOLENCE.

As an American:  I have the right to live my life the way I choose, as long as it does not cause physical harm to anyone around me.

It doesn't mean my opinion is NOT IMPORTANT, JUST BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATCH YOURS.

As we go to the polls to go vote, I am reminded that the Founding Fathers were trying to base this country's foundation on the freedom to simply BE.

It's nothing wrong with that.  

But when your BE-ing feels the need enslaves others to feel superior, tries to control others by removal or withholding certain vital things that would improve or raise my standard of living, or tries to foster undue entitlement because of our differences:  that is NOT what this country was founded upon.  

The climate of freedom is being threatened by those who feel that they can say whatever, do whatever, have whatever, with no second thoughts, no remorse, no repentance - simply because you think you're better than the rest of us on account of your wealth, status and skin color.

It says that "all men are created equal".  To me, the Founding Fathers understood a very simple, yet relatively complex idea:  men, no matter who they are, are all the same.  They want the same things:  to take care of their families, to live a good and comfortable life, to believe what they want to believe, and their offspring to have better than what they had.  This is the belief for ALL people, no matter what walk of life you come from.

When what you believe causes harm, fosters violence, and splits a country - that is not freedom, that is not truth, that is NOT YOUR right.

And my right is this:  I can ignore you.  I can tell others to not play into your ignorance. I can choose another way - I can accept my fellow man as he or she is.  If you don't like it, we can agree to disagree, and still get along.  Respect me, and I'll respect you right back.

I'm just saying.