Happy 4th: Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness

This post celebrates the birth of a nation dedicated to opportunity and liberty

I love the United States of America! I’ve visited, lived and worked in more than 30 countries on 5 continents. I appreciate their unique cultures, people, and opportunities. I recognize that the USA does not have a corner on freedom, rights, or moral integrity. Other countries also provide citizens the same benefits. I still love the United States of America.

Our Unalienable Rights

The Declaration of Independence states “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.”

That phrase changed a country’s attitude toward people’s opportunity to grow. Prior to that statement, societies around the world defined class societies that restricted upward movement. The merchant class in England would not confront the landed aristocracy for another 50 years. France’s revolution would violently follow the concepts outlined in the declaration 15 years later.

The unalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness guaranteed each citizen the opportunity to improve their life, their status, and their career.

Millions of people proved that promise over the past two centuries

• Immigrants with names like Carnegie, Mellon, and Vanderbilt proved it
• Others with names like Ford, Rockefeller, Gates, and Jobs also proved it
• Hundreds of thousands of my clients proved it by improving their jobs and lives
• Thousands of clients proved it by starting or improving businesses
• Hundreds of personal friends and family moved from middle to upper class

I Worry About the Promise

The promise still eludes millions. Some people, because of race, immigration status, or poverty fail to gain the “American Dream”.  Injustices and inequalities permeate our history.

Today, forces jeopardize the guarantee. Our society, more than in 100 years, consists of haves and have not’s. The middle class shrinks more each year. Legislation and litigation makes what once seemed unalienable indefensible. We must preserve the promise.

Friday we will continue our series on the middle class reviewing stocks & investments