Elizabeth Grohsman (Cheltenham High School)
By Elizabeth Grohsman (Cheltenham High School, Montgomery County)
The authors of the Declaration of Independence boldly claimed in 1776 that everybody was born with natural rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” A phrase influenced by philosopher John Locke; the authors argued that government exists only to protect these natural rights, and obtain power from consent of the governed. If the government should fail to oblige, the people have a right to overthrow and reform their government. 250 years later, these ideals remain central in America. Be that as it may, many Americans now question whether these promises are fulfilled. When access to healthcare relies on income, or when voting districts are exploited for political gain, and when powerful individuals infrequently face accountability, the detachment between America’s founding principles and today’s reality becomes impossible to look past. A nation built on revolution now faces a different problem because, by America's own philosophical standpoints, America is not upholding the principles on which it was founded.
John Locke claimed everyone was born equal and free, and the government should exist solely to serve the people. America’s founding fathers assumed this philosophy because they knew what happened when power was abused. They revolted, not out of convenience, but out of necessity. The revolution was not simply against the British, but also a revolt against injustice. America was manufactured as a test with self-governance, established on the pledge that no one could stand above the law.
Nonetheless, modern America struggles to honor its promises. Economic inequality runs rampant, making success more reliant on background instead of effort. Millions cannot get access to healthcare, housing, and education, toppling their ability to pursue the “American Dream.” Concurrently, flaws in the electoral system like voter suppression and gerrymandering, sabotage the foundations of democracy. Self-governance has become controversial and people feel powerless. The American dream is actively crumbling; work hard, follow the rules, and still your children are not guaranteed a better life.
Perhaps, the most uncomfortable belief that gained popularity is selective accountability. When individuals at the top hide behind money and influence from consequences they should absolutely face, the vision of justice becomes distorted. Selective accountability rots public trust and sends a dangerous message, that equality may exist theoretically, but not in practice. We cannot claim to honor liberty while allowing privilege to decide responsibility.
In spite of these obstacles, America’s revolutionary spirit has not diminished. America’s spirit lives on in protests, and activism. More people are demanding fairness and transparency, and real patriotism does not mean turning a blind eye to flaws; it means confronting these flaws honestly. Our founders recognized freedom requires effort, and effort needs consistency. As heirs to their legacy, the people must figure out if they want to observe or act as keepers of the founding fathers’ ideals. If life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should carry on as more than mere words, America must have the courage to defend the fundamentals on which it stands.
