The Preamble to the US Declaration of Independence, 1776

[kentuck]

http://www.elcivics.com/us_declaration_preamble

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.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, 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 abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

[BlueJazz]

1. If we don't get some "new guards" for our future, our security will not matter.

This train that we are on can't carry much more of a load before it gives up.

[cartach]

2. If you can't live up to it

then forget about it for once and for all. It keeps being dredged up, read and commented on and then set aside for the next time. It doesn't provide any comfort in the fact that the rights mentioned will be secured because the people don't have the courage to follow through. It should be consigned to the dustbin of history where it belongs,as an example of the quaint and misguided thoughts the forefathers had for the future of the country should it deteriorate to the point that it has. Without the required courage nothing will be done!

[Kablooie]

3. No. It predicts our current behavior admirably...

"all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."

Right now, evils are still sufferable for most of us so we are still disposed to suffer.

We see signs of despotism and we fear an increase of despotism in the near future but it has not overwhelmed our everyday lives as of yet.

[Scuba]

4. Astute analysis.