Sunday, December 13, 2020

INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION: LIFE COMES BEFORE LIBERTY

By Kate Pickett
Deseret News

I am writing out of deep concern for the harmful idea that personal freedom is the only American ideal.

Our Founding Fathers spoke of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The order of those has always been key: Life precedes liberty. A person’s desire to pursue what makes them happy does not allow them to risk the lives of others – which is why you cannot drive 100 mph past a school bus or build a nuclear bomb in your backyard.

Even freedoms in the Bill of Rights have limits. The freedom of religion does not allow a church to practice human sacrifice. The freedom of speech does not allow someone to yell “Fire!” in a crowded building or leak classified information that could endanger Americans. The Supreme Court has said that speech is not free if it creates a “clear and present danger.”

We are having a national debate about public health laws and personal freedoms. We know mask-wearing in a pandemic saves lives. The idea that it is unpatriotic to place any limits on personal freedom is wrong and dangerous.

You are not free to endanger others. And they are not free to endanger you. This basic civic principle is key to preserving “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Let’s not allow it to be eroded.

Morrisville, North Carolina

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Deseret News in Salt Lake City is owned by the Mormon Church.

Anonymous said...

There is no freedom, when elections are rigged! God will bring to justice to those that robbed the people of their votes! Biden will never be accepted as the president!

Anonymous said...

December 13, 2020 at 11:15 AM

I D I O T A !

Anonymous said...

My FREEDOM is more important than your SAFETY....from an Air Force veteran Mexicans! I know you won’t be able to understand that concept living in a Third World town like Brownsville your entire life...that’s right, and Mexico too.6

Anonymous said...

"Your right to swing your fists ends where my nose begins"

"Demanding rights while denying responsiblity is not patriotic l, it is childish"

Anonymous said...



December 13, 2020 at 11:15 AM

TRUMP stole the election from Hilary Clinton.
Bush stole the election from Al Gore with the help of his brother Jeb Bush/Florida.

So...the Republicans think others steal from them because they are used to stealing elections.

GGL said...

For those of you who think Biden will be the man get a life you are getting ready to have a female tell you where to send your money Biden is the lamb to the slaughter Harris is going to run this side show

Anonymous said...

Ooo there is a GOD, but you will pay in the fire pits of hell 11:15. Your sins are for worshipping your false idol trump, accepting his lying, stealing, condemning the weak, adultery, raping of children must I go on. You idiot.

Anonymous said...

Votes for TRUMP overwhelmed the corrupt voting system "The Party" was depending on in 2016. In 2020 the DNC went all out and guess what? Trump did again. That's why the 5 states in contention shut down while he was leading!

Trump horribly exposed the the Anti-American movement during his 4 years in office and local Dems missed it due to censorship by CNN, MSMBC,ABC and CBS.

Wake up Dems! The visceral opposition to election fraud claims are not because the DNC thinks like you. They are evil, period.

Anonymous said...

Some idiots just can't figure out the essence of a fair and square win. Its call democracy!!

rita