Letter: Declaration of Independence is about the collective good
(Mike Adams | The Augusta Chronicle | The Associated Press) Members of the National Sojourners salute the flag as they present the colors at the annual Fourth of July ceremony honoring Georgia's signers of the Declaration of Independence in Augusta, Ga., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.
In a recycled column about the Fourth of July, George Pyle writes: “Independence Day is not about flags, fireworks, military hardware, past presidents or any other icons or graven images. It is about the importance of individual liberty and the recognition that the protection of that liberty is the primary duty of government.”
I could be wrong, but the Declaration of Independence strikes me as having less to do with “individual liberty” than with the collective good. Phrases like “one People,” “the Population,” “us” and “public” are scattered throughout the document; nowhere is there any reference to any individual self. Its most memorable phrase is “All men are created equal,” an idea that’s far more congruent with socialism than with any sort of libertarian individualism.
America is more polarized now than it’s been in decades. I salute the Founders for putting “We the People” first and think we should follow their example.
Tom Huckin, Salt Lake City
For over 150 years, The Salt Lake Tribune has been Utah’s independent news source. Our reporters work tirelessly to uncover the stories that matter most to Utahns, from unraveling the complexities of court rulings to allowing tax payers to see where and how their hard earned dollars are being spent. This critical work wouldn’t be possible without people like you—individuals who understand the importance of local, independent journalism. As a nonprofit newsroom, every subscription and every donation fuels our mission, supporting the in-depth reporting that shines a light on the is sues shaping Utah today.
You can help power this work.
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible