but some men are more essential than others...
The question bears careful consideration. Most people understand “the pursuit of happiness” to mean “whatever floats your boat.” So, I will be very interested to learn what my local officials understand it to mean.
Another concept that bears closer thought is that of inalienable rights. Our forefathers wrote, “Among these are . . .” before naming the big three. So what other rights would they have included?
I am hard pressed to find people who are able and willing to discuss and debate these matters. I hunger for conversation with people who know the law and are not arrogant about it.
I think the best definition came from John Paul II:
“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.”
Early versions of the document used “property” instead of “pursuit of happiness”; latter likely used for art. Owning what you “own” is important.