Liberty and the Pursuit of Hapiness

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.

This is possibly one of the greatest declarations ever thought. The idea that we have God given rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness; values that all people have title to. The problem is I don't think with really believe it.

Economics. Quick economics lesson. An economic environment where all parties are allowed to trade freely with each other creates specialization. Specialized economies with free trade are THE most efficient and productive economies. Specialization and competition allow for the best of the best to rise to the top.

Immigration. It always amazes me that in a country that boast about freedom we consistently and systematically keep people from moving here. It seems to me that if we truly believed that everyone was "endowed" with the rights to liberty and the pursuit of happiness we wouldn't bar them from entering one of the few places in the world where those to rights seem to exist. People have decided that we don't want un-American influence and foreigners in our country. What are we afraid of? Are we afraid that we'll lose jobs? That our health care system will be over run? That our prosperous way of life will be over?

1. You may have been born here, but somewhere, someway, someone in your family showed up on a boat and was given the opportunity that we deny so many people.

2. If we truly believe in the idea of liberty why are we denying it to other people?

3. In an unrestrained economic system people win. Maybe not all people. Those who refuse to try to better themselves, who don't take advantage of the educational system, and who rather be mediocre lose. But for the rest of us its a huge win. If you're truly afraid that some uneducated Hispanic, Eastern European, African, or Asian person is going to take your job then maybe you're in the wrong career. And if you're afraid that some smarter, better educated Hispanic, Eastern European, African, or Asian person is going to take your job, then you'd work harder and prepare better.

I think I'm tired of the strict immigration laws in our country. I understand the need to keep many negatives elements out. But in the end I think if we truly believe that everyone is created with the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness then we need to get out of the way of their rights.

Paul "Scotch-Irish" Murphy