pursuit of happiness

Solitaire's Avatar
There are many rights that are claimed in rhetoric, due to the wording of the Declaration of Independence and other writings, but not specifically written into constitution law or amendments. (right to life, separation of church/state, etc.)

Does anyone recollect any laws that were won from the "pursuit of happiness" angle?

Federal or State would be interesting.
LowRider69's Avatar
There are many rights that are claimed in rhetoric, due to the wording of the Declaration of Independence and other writings, but not specifically written into constitution law or amendments. (right to life, separation of church/state, etc.)

Does anyone recollect any laws that were won from the "pursuit of happiness" angle?

Federal or State would be interesting. Originally Posted by Solitaire
The Constitution does not say "separation of church and state".....it was intended to protect religion from government, not government from religion....
boardman's Avatar
There are many rights that are claimed in rhetoric, due to the wording of the Declaration of Independence and other writings, but not specifically written into constitution law or amendments. (right to life, separation of church/state, etc.)

Does anyone recollect any laws that were won from the "pursuit of happiness" angle?

Federal or State would be interesting. Originally Posted by Solitaire
Interesting question.
Solitaire's Avatar
The Constitution does not say "separation of church and state".....it was intended to protect religion from government, not government from religion.... Originally Posted by LowRider69
You are correct, that is why I stated "and other writings". Who coined the phrase, Thomas Paine, or Jefferson? If you guys can forgive, I'm all over the context, but sometimes forgetful on the details. But I love exploring these topics
LowRider69's Avatar
Interesting question. Originally Posted by boardman
Because "pursuit of happiness" is stated in the Declaration of Independence and not the Constitution, I don't find this an interesting question like you do dumbass.....you won't find a case either.....

These legal scholars these days!!!!
Solitaire's Avatar
Because "pursuit of happiness" is stated in the Declaration of Independence and not the Constitution, I don't find this an interesting question like you do dumbass.....you won't find a case either.....

These legal scholars these days!!!! Originally Posted by LowRider69
Just curious, if you are actually an attorney, within the legal spectrum, or just stating a sideline opinion.

Its interesting to me because "right to life" is also in the Declaration, but not the Constitution, and there are written and voted laws and court precedent built around it.

And while there may not be Constitutional law written around "pursuit of happiness", that doesn't mean that it hasn't been addressed by some State or lower court, or by some local community vote.

Has the dialogue come up in anyone's locale or home state?

Could the turn-arounds on same-sex marriage be considered a "pursuit of happiness" issue?

Hopefully some of you see where my next logical step is going with this
WTF's Avatar
  • WTF
  • 10-09-2014, 10:03 AM
Just curious, if you are actually an attorney, within the legal spectrum, or just stating a sideline opinion.
Originally Posted by Solitaire
I seem to recall LowRider having a protein enriched job...

I'm not a lawyer, I'm a fluffer for all the top gay porn stars and my butt hole is their stunt double.

Originally Posted by LowRider69
Many People do not realize that The Declaration of Independence is not "law".

The Constitution is.
I B Hankering's Avatar
Just curious, if you are actually an attorney, within the legal spectrum, or just stating a sideline opinion.

Its interesting to me because "right to life" is also in the Declaration, but not the Constitution, and there are written and voted laws and court precedent built around it.

And while there may not be Constitutional law written around "pursuit of happiness", that doesn't mean that it hasn't been addressed by some State or lower court, or by some local community vote.

Has the dialogue come up in anyone's locale or home state?

Could the turn-arounds on same-sex marriage be considered a "pursuit of happiness" issue?

Hopefully some of you see where my next logical step is going with this Originally Posted by Solitaire
If you equate "property" with "happiness" as Jefferson did, you will find thousands of "examples of laws that were won from the 'pursuit of happiness' angle," because Jefferson substituted the word "happiness" in the place of the word "estates", or as Locke notes: "property", when Jefferson veritably plagiarized John Locke who, in Two Treatises of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration, wrote:

Sec. 123. IF man in the state of nature be so free, as has been said; if he be absolute lord of his own person and possessions, equal to the greatest, and subject to no body, why will he part with his freedom? why will he give up this empire, and subject himself to the dominion and controul of any other power? To which it is obvious to answer, that though in the state of nature he hath such a right, yet the enjoyment of it is very uncertain, and constantly exposed to the invasion of others: for all being kings as much as he, every man his equal, and the greater part no strict observers of equity and justice, the enjoyment of the property he has in this state is very unsafe, very unsecure. This makes him willing to quit a condition, which, however free, is full of fears and continual dangers: and it is not without reason, that he seeks out, and is willing to join in society with others, who are already united, or have a mind to unite, for the mutual preservation of their lives, liberties and estates, which I call by the general name, property.
CuteOldGuy's Avatar
Actually, the entire Constitution was drafted to protect the pursuit of happiness. but it no longer applies. The pursuit of happiness is simply the freedom to live your life how you want and keep the fruits of your labor, so long as you do not interfere with someone else's right to the same. Freedom. What a concept!