Life, Liberty, and Whatever - The Sequel

While we are on the topic of sequels today...

Here is a post of mine from almost 3 years ago, discussing the relative ignorance of people [read: political grandstanders] when using quotes from the Constitution:

Life, Liberty, and Whatever

Instapundit subtly points out that the NYT editorial writers (and their overseers) need to go back to school and re-take U.S. History 101.

THE NEW YORK TIMES' EDITORS think that the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is in the Constitution. But then, they believe many things that are demonstrably untrue.

Imagined NYT response:
"Constitution, Declaration of Independence...whatever. You are taking my words out of context, and missing the bigger point....blah, blah,blah."

Fast forward to present day, and we find example of a poor helpless Democratic lawmaker cornered by a dastardly Tea-partier attempting to impugn his honor by asking where in the Constitution exists the "right" to health care.



Interestingly, Congressman Phil Hare (D-Ill) tries to dance around blogger Adam Sharp's (Sharp Elbows) questions by stating:

"I believe it [The Constitution] says we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..."

I am so glad that yet another one of our indignant elected officials wants to lecture us, when he doesn't even know the basic differences in our two most important founding documents. I suppose it is not a surprise, given his earlier statement "I don't care about the Constitution on this...." Sadly though, this is fairly indicative of American society, as most people wouldn't know enough to call him on it.

But I bet most Tea Partiers could (as Sharp does during his interview with Neil Cavuto)....

Lets keep those sharp elbows flying!