Yesterday on the campaign trail...
You mean...you mean...the Constitution guarantees us the right to free stuff?
Stuff I want but don't have to pay for?!?!?!?
Uhhhhhhh....no.
Firstly -- Just a point of fact, the line (arguably the most consequential and powerful sentences in the English language) "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" comes from the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution. While the Declaration has often been used as a lens by which to interpret the Constitution by giving us an insight into the intent of the Founding Fathers, it is not law. Hence, the Declaration doesn't guarantee a thing. That's the Constitution's job.
More importantly - when I explain this sentence to others, I start off by saying that the Founders started with the most important and worked their way down -- life being most important, then liberty, then pursuit of happiness being the least of the three. But, it's best explained by starting off with the smallest.
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS :: I have the right, given to us by God (and hence, can only be taken away from Him), to pursue my passions, calling, and mission in life with all my energy. I have the right push away from the dock, unfurl my sails and set off after my dreams.
LIBERTY :: Above this, I have the right to make my own choices in life, to determine what my mission, calling and purpose is in this life. No man or government has the authority to determine this for me. I have the right to choose my boat and course.
Most importantly, LIFE :: the sovereign and God-given right to exist. Bear in mind, that it wasn't in the distant mists of history where a king or queen would have the right to decide if you lived or died, either through execution, war, or ignored plague or famine.
Pursuit of happiness. The right to run after my dreams and ambitions. At the time, a bold proposition. That man was capable of not just governing himself, but had the sovereign right to set his stars, and change them if necessary (h/t Chaucer, via Heath Ledger in "A Knight's Tale.") The ability to fly or fold. Succeed without limitations, or fail miserably and lose it all. It's one of the things that truly makes America exceptional.
"Pursuit of happiness" doesn't mean free birth control
It doesn't mean free health care.
It doesn't mean free housing or food.
It doesn't mean free money.
It means you have the freedom to do what needs to be done to not need them.
It means you have the freedom to set your course, and follow it mercilessly and relentlessly.
It will not be easy. But being American has never been easy.
But that's not been a problem before.
And "Pursuit of Happiness" can never be reduced down to just "free stuff.
