[Auntie Dem]

The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are two different things. The latter should not be quoted when talking about law. It is not not a legal document and has no legal standing.

But the courts do examine the Congressional Record to determine Congress' intent and state of mind when ruling on many laws. The Declaration of Independence is America's intent and state of mind.

[Steve_Seattle]

"But the courts do examine the Congressional Record to determine Congress' intent and state of mind when ruling on many laws. The Declaration of Independence is America's intent and state of mind."

The courts SHOULD do that, but it seems to have become optional for quite a while. That is the only way that Roe v. Wade - and the upcoming banning of heterosexual-only marriage laws - could have been foisted on the country. When the courts want to do something strongly enough, they just do it, and "original intent" be damned.