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All Men Are Created Equal

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All Men Are Created Equal
“All Men Are Created Equal”
By: Kaitlyn Manzelli

The statement, “All Men Are Created Equal” is an understanding that there is no natural class of rulers among the people. Which means everyone is equal by law. The United States Declaration of Independence says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Constitution in the First Amendment says that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." What the writers’ of the Constitution are saying is that you are free to make your own decisions. You have the right to choose your religion or what you have to say about something. It’s your choice! First of all, John Adams says, “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people…..they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge.” What Adams is saying is that with not only knowledge comes opportunities, but with knowledge also comes the ability to be truly free instead of being subject to another. You don’t let others make your decisions for you. You are equal to any other man out there. You have the same rights as anyone else, no matter what your race, gender, or beliefs. Secondly, the principle “All Men Are Created Equal” is still important today. Without it in the Constitution, it’s said people wouldn’t have rights, such as freedom of speech and expression. It means that everyone has the right to run for office if you’ve been a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years. It means you can vote, as long as you are 18 years of age. Your neighbor is no

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