Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities

A while back I wrote an article about George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior".  Well today, all American's of moral character have been given a new challenge, a new "declaration" on how we should live our lives and of how we should treat our fellow people.  Where Washington used "110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation" to forge his moral character, personality and rules for living, we have received a new charter to help forge our moral character as citizens of these United States of America and as people who respect and revere our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Today there is a new Declaration.  A Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities which was presented today by Glenn Beck in his Restoring Courage event in Israel.  If you have studied our Constitution and our Bill of Rights you will find these 10 Declarations common sense.  Please read these declarations and make them a part of your daily life, your daily routine.

~ excerpt Glenn Beck, Restoring Courage event 8/24/11

 Thus, we the people do hereby declare not only our rights, but do now establish this bill of responsibilities.

1. Because I have the right to choose, I recognize that I am accountable to God…and have the responsibility to keep the 10 commandments in my own life.

2. Because I have the right to worship as I choose, I have the responsibility to honor the right of others to worship as they see fit.

3. Because I have freedom of speech, I have the responsibility to defend the speech of others, even if I strongly disagree with what they’re saying.

4. Because I have the right to pursue happiness, I have the responsibility to show humility and express gratitude for all the blessings I enjoy and the rights I’ve been given.

5. Because I have the right to honest and good government…I will seek out honest and just representatives when possible. If I cannot find one then I accept the responsibility to take that place.

6. Because I have the God given right to liberty…I have the personal responsibility to have the courage to defend others to be secure in their persons, lives and property.

7. Because I have the right to equal justice…I will stand for those who are wrongly accused or unjustly blamed.

8. Because I have the right to knowledge…I will be accountable for myself and my children’s education…to live our lives in such a way that insures the continuation of truth.

9. Because I have the right to pursue my dreams and keep the fruits of my labor…I have the responsibility to feed, protect and shelter my family, the less fortunate, the fatherless, the old and infirm.

10. Because I have a right to the truth…I will not bear false witness nor will not stand idly by as others do.

To this "Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities" I pledge.  I will follow this example in my daily life and through this declaration help guide others to follow MY example.  And for every person who follows my example I pledge to help them be an example to others.

To this I pledge.