Conceived in Liberty and Dedicated to Equality

It was two centuries plus two score and 9 years ago that our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men* are created equal.

In 1776, Jefferson had called it a self-evident truth that all men are created equal. But sadly, four score and seven years later, when Lincoln gave his immortal Gettysburg Address, many were saying it was not a self-evident truth. That it was a lie. Thus, Lincoln had to call it a proposition. Both are derived from Euclid. In Euclid’s great textbook, known as Euclid’s “Elements”, a self-evident truth was a statement that did not need to be proved. It was an axiom. A proposition, however, was something that was to be proved, from the axioms. The statement from the Declaration of Independence was certainly a truth to Lincoln, whether self-evident or not. He often said, “my ancient faith teaches me that all men are created equal”.

Of course, both liberty and equality were at stake in Lincoln’s time, as was the nation itself; the nation that was so-conceived and so-dedicated, as he called it.

The nation endured, but sadly, the struggle for freedom and equality continue.

What does freedom mean in 21st century America? What does equality mean?

While we may never reach perfection, we can always strive for a more perfect union; one that is constantly dedicated to the ideals of freedom and equality, and may we add to that, the ideals of common goodness and kindness as well.

An economy for all is absolutely required. By this, I mean an economy that is designed to provide security, reduce suffering, and eliminate poverty, to the full extent that these things can be done. I believe it is actually a requirement for democracy itself to truly reach its full potential. It can never be fully realized without it. People without these things are people who are less free.

Building an economy for all will be a focal point of my campaign. (I am running for Congress.)

An economy for all, that provides economic security for all, while simultaneously encouraging innovation and a certain degree of self-determination would indeed be an economy that supports both freedom and equality, as well as democracy.

There is currently a story in circulation which claims that we are not a democracy, that we are a republic. But the truth is, we are both, and always have been. More on that in a future post.

I believe that we were once in the process of building an economy for all (1933-1981). That progression came to an abrupt halt in the 1980s. It was then put on a reverse course, where it has since been on track to create great income inequality, and an economy that grossly overcompensates a very few while underpaying many and denying basic life necessities and securities for a growing number of people.

I believe that a return to the process of building an economy for all would ultimately make life better for all, and give us a project that brings us together rather than one that drives us apart.

*Nowadays we would change that to all people are created equal.