The Democratic Party, the Republican Party and the Declaration of Independence - Research Paper Example

WHICH OF THE TWO MAJOR AMERICAN PARTIES, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, BEST UPHOLDS THE SELF-EVIDENT TRUTHS OR ALIENABLE RIGHTS OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS STATED IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. Introduction The Declaration of Independence as envisioned by Jefferson enshrined three significant rights. The basic rights are such as rights to liberty, life and search for happiness. Other rights have been derived from the right to life thus signifying its importance. Individuals have the opportunity of participating in actions that allows them to preserve and enjoy life. In that case, the right to life is founded on the knowledge that, moral values are build from life standards. Individuals act according to their own judgments based on the right to liberty. Right to liberty is based on the fact that highest man’s moral virtues are founded on rationality. According to the right to pursue happiness, individuals are provided with the capability of fulfilling their own desires rather than the society at large. In that case, self interest is the key word.1 Thomas Jefferson utilized Locke‘s phrase” Pursuit of happiness” and came up with a powerful statement of inalienable people’s right to “liberty, life and pursuit of happiness” in the independence declaration. Majority of individuals do not understand that the happiness concept of Locke was greatly inflamed by the philosophers in Greek, Epicurus and Aristotle to be precise. Instead of Locke equating pleasure with happiness, desire satisfaction or property, he differentiates between true happiness and imaginary happiness.2 Locke’s argues that, liberty is founded on the necessity of happiness pursuing. Hence, the intellectual nature highest perfection is based on a constant and careful pursuit of solid and true happiness. From this argument it is clear that liberty foundation is based on individual search for happiness as it frees him or her from attachment to certain desires availed to him or her. Therefore, according to Jefferson and Locke, search for happiness is not necessarily the pursuit for property, pleasure or self interest but rather, the freedom of making decisions whose outcome is perfect human being life including moral and intellectual right.3 Policies and platforms of the Republican Party in relation to declaration principles The Republican platform is based on enduring principles rather than passing convenience. It is an outcome of the political history of the American transparent and open process. The platform is offered to the American population for the declaration that the Republican ideals are factors that will unify America as a country and give them courage while facing their foes. In addition to that, they facilitate a patriotism that is optimistic driven by freedom passion and are entirely devoted to the intrinsic rights and dignity of each person. Faith in self reliance virtues, concern for your neighbor and civic commitment are what the republican platform wants to achieve. The Republicans are highly dedicated to preserve and protect liberty according to the rule of law. Defending their Nation, supporting their Heroes, Securing Peace The Republicans are on the forefront to avert bioterrorism and to eliminate the utilization of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and other related attacks. They regularly exercise their ability to rapidly respond in case an attack occurs. Thus, there is a need to continuously eliminate barriers to information sharing and cooperation. In that case, Republicans must have the capability of thwarting cyber attacks that might cripple the American economy, monitor activities of the terrorist whilst respecting civil liberties of the Americans and protecting against industrial and military sabotage and espionage. To achieve all this, there is need for experienced leadership. The Republican Party aim is to deploy and develop both the theatre missile and national defenses for purposes of protecting the American people, their homeland, their armed forces and their allies. Maintaining the Sanctity and Dignity of Human life Republicans respects the inherent sanctity and dignity of human life. In addition to that, they insist that any unborn child exhibits the fundamental right to life. In that case, this right should not be infringed. The Republicans are supporting constitution human life amendment and are advocating for legislation endorsement to clarify the protection fourteenth amendments that applies to the unborn children. They also oppose the utilization of public funds to perform or promote abortions. Consequently, they are against funding of organizations advocating for abortion. Moreover, they are against assisted suicide and euthanasia which endangers individuals in the society margin. In the light of the above, they support the appointing of judges who respects the traditional values of family and the dignity and sanctity of human life that is innocent. In that case, efforts should be geared towards working with women opting for abortion so as to empower and enable them to choose life rather than death. Republicans salute those individuals who provide alternatives to those considering undertaking abortion. These include setting up of care centers for individuals with pregnancy and adoption increase. The Republicans also oppose the withholding of treatment and care from individuals with disabilities and the aged.4 Traditional Marriage Preservation The Republications are calling for amendments to be performed on the constitution so that marriage can be protected to mean a union between a woman and man. If national amendments are not carried out, the Republicans advocates through state initiatives for people in various states to adhere to traditional marriage. Safe guarding Religious Liberties The Republicans support the student right to involve themselves in student-led, student-initiated prayers in schools that are public, graduation ceremonies, athletic events only if performed with constitution conformity standards. They confirm the right of every citizen to apply values that are religious to public policy. Furthermore, they support the faith-based organization right to fully participate in programs that are public without identifying their beliefs, showing symbols or objects that are religious or becoming government subject to imposed practices of hiring. Policies and platforms of the Democratic Party in relation to declaration principles From the preamble of the Democrats, they view themselves being burdened to fulfill the American promise of defeating communism and fascism, providing opportunities to all individuals and middle class thriving. They believe that regardless of an individual race, all Americans are entitled to a good education, good job, to provide and raise a family, to reside in surroundings that are safe and retiring with security and dignity. 5 Faith Democrats honor the faith central place in their lives. Just like their founders, they believe that their communities, their nations and their lives become richer and stronger through their faith numerous mercy and justified acts which are inspiring. They understand that change is triggered from the bottom upwards hence the importance of mosques, churches and temples in bringing change closer to the people. Democrats believe in state-religion relationship for purposes of ending poverty and saving the planet as a whole. They are ready to empower community and faith based grassroots groups to overcome various challenges such as illiteracy, poverty and ex-offender reentry. However, public funds would not be utilized to discriminate or proselytize. Choice The Democrats unequivocally and strongly supports the right of a woman to choose a legal and safe abortion regardless whether she has the capacity of meeting the bills. In addition to that, they oppose efforts made to undermine or weaken the right to abortion. The party of Democrats also advocates for access to affordable and comprehensive services of family planning. Moreover, they support sex education for appropriate ages which empowers individuals in making choices that are informed and live lives that are healthy. With availability of family planning and sex education, the number of unexpected pregnancies will greatly reduce. Similarly, the necessity for abortion will decline. The party (Democratic Party) strongly supports the decision of a woman to take care of a child through ensuring that the child has access to postnatal and pre-natal health care programs, income support, parenting skills and adoption caring programs.6 Allowing of Gay Marriage The Democratic Party supports the inclusion of lesbian and gay families in the American nation. They add that, they as other couples need equal responsibility, protection and other state benefits. The Democrats asserts that, the state level has defined marriage for over two centuries. Tougher punishments, death penalty included For purposes of fighting against drugs, crimes and disorders, the Democratic Party have established comprehensive and tougher strategies to9 overcome crime. The punishments are such as death penalties for individuals who terrorize innocent people. Arguments The Independence Declaration contained various phrases such as holding the truths that all human beings are equally created and in that case endowed with unalienable rights such as liberty, life and pursuit of happiness. These words are extremely powerful as they help in establishing a platform for constructing societies that are democratic.7 Democracy true freedom cannot be founded on only unalienable rights. Liberty expectation and happiness pursuit have been overshadowed, a significant consequence of participatory democracy and true freedom.8 According to John Milton, pursuit of happiness is a term that is contradictory. He sought to highlight humanity as free, wise and good. On the other hand, happiness does not fit in this circle not even in the sense of post-enlightenment. The republican platforms have turned men into sources of endeavors that are creative, increased competition and improving themselves while pursuing happiness. Independence Declaration by Thomas Jefferson not only helped in advancing of the above ideas but foreshadowed the capitalism of consumer far more happiness sense of hedonistic.9 The pursuit of happiness can be socially unproductive, self destructive or both. In pursuit of happiness an individual has the right to do what he or she pleases. There exist absence of pursuit for happiness and it is viewed as a stability enemy. Frankl criticizes how people perceive” the pursuit of happiness” in Independence Declaration. First, he thinks that, it is unethical to think about pleasing oneself while excluding others. Thus the phase has been misdirected as individual’s aims at success not knowing that, just like happiness success cannot be pursued. Pursuit, life and liberty are more than unalienable rights. It is essential for both the Democrats and the Republicans to listen to cries of freedom and fulfill the responsibilities that accompany it.10 Assessing the Party that adhere to the God given Principles There exist two God given principles. The first key principle is that life is a gift that is sacred from God. In that case, it can be created by God alone. He is the one who gives human beings breath, life and everything that they need to keep them alive. He ensures that human life is protected. According to Genesis Chapter 9: 6, anybody who sheds man’s blood, his blood shall also be shed by man. This is because; man is made in the image of God. God has availed man with the command to protect thus redeeming all human life. According to first John chapter 2 verse 2, the human life should be protected and preserved no matter the situation or condition. This includes the life of unborn child in its mother’s womb, neither individuals who are severely impaired physically or mentally nor those who are nearly dyeing. Individuals should acknowledge that it is God who gives life and he has all the rights to take away life. The Republic Party has been good at keeping this principle. They are against abortion as they advocate for life preservation. In addition to that, they do not support euthanasia and anesthesia and advocating for maintaining of mentally and physically impaired individuals. The Democrats on the other hand, disobey this principal. They support abortion as a human right. Similarly, they advocate for capital punishment. God made Adam and Eve and united them to become one. In the Bible, lesbianism and gay marriage are not supported and that is why God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Hence, the support of gay marriages by the Democrats is going against the will of God. Tradition family values need to be adhered to where man and woman marry to bear children, multiply and fill the world. Conclusion From the platforms, the Republican party is more superior than the Democratic party. It values human life and ensures sanctity of marriage. They value Gods principals and ensure people adhere to it. For instance, the setting up of pregnancy centers to prohibit individuals from committing abortion. However, in this world each and every i9ndividual is in pursuit of happiness. Whatever makes you happy do it as long as your heart desires are met. Bibliography “Principles of a Free society”, http://principlesofafreesociety.com/life-liberty-pursuit-of-happiness. Congressional Digest. ” The Rublicans Platform, 2008, 235- 255. Frankl, Viktor. Psychotherapy and Existentialism. NewYork: Simon and Schuster, 1968. Gimellimartin, Catherine. ” Milton and the Pursuit of Happiness,” Toronto Quarterly 77, no.3 (2008):877-1005. John, Locke. An Essay concerning Human Understanding. Oxford: Clarendon, 1979. Macedonian speaker praises principles laid down in 1944 ASNOM declaration. (2004, Aug 01). BBC Monitoring European, pp. 1-1. Pattakos, Alex.” Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Meaning: Discovering the Spirit of Democracy”. Journal of interlieng 2, no.2 (2006):1-12. Political Party Platform,” 2008 Democratic Platform,” http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=78283#axzz1qPbUTzLE Thomas, Jefferson. Jefferson’s Extracts from the Gospels: The Philosophy of Jesus and The Life and Morals of Jesus, Lester, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1983. Read More