Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, means that in America there are certain rights that we all have that are not available to people in different countries. Here in America we take advantage of these rights, but there are immigrants who risk their lives to come here for access to these rights. These unalienble rights are very important to the success of our country and citizens.

Posted on 3/17/2009 11:50:49 AM by Jordan Einhorn from Chicago

To me it means our nation is one strong nation and we all should enjoy that

Posted on 3/10/2009 12:42:34 PM by Mark Williams from Seattle

It sucks

Posted on 3/10/2009 12:40:54 PM by Ryan Silva from Seattle

To me the phrase means opportunity, responsibility, and if we are fortunate and vigilant, fairness and equality.

Posted on 3/5/2009 8:04:22 AM by Carole Slesnick from Bellingham

What stands out for me in the phrase is what is NOT said. We are not guaranteed happiness, we are only guaranteed the pursuit of it. I think some assume that happiness is a given as an American, and we are owed something because of it. However I believe we owe the responsibility to constanty strive to atain it rather than assume entitlement.

Posted on 2/26/2009 8:25:06 AM by Brent Holland from Everett

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" makes me think of all the immigrants who have come to the United States seeking a better life. While I may not be proud of every action taken by my country and its representatives, I do feel lucky to live somewhere where ideals such as freedom, happiness and equality are valued.

Posted on 1/31/2009 1:14:45 PM by Jenn from Seattle

I like the idea of "pursuing happiness" that John Adams had in mind: the pursuit of knowledge, which really does take us out of the everyday world to something truly exhilarating, a higher level of appreciation of all that our culture has to offer.

Posted on 1/30/2009 1:15:29 PM by Patricia Junker from Seattle

To me, it's a uniquely American phrase--this is a place where the right to live is only the beginning, not the sum total of our rights. We are entitled to liberty--doing whatever the law doesn't say we can't do. And, most importantly, we have the right to happiness. A far cry from simply being able to live.

Posted on 1/30/2009 12:33:23 PM by Sarah from Seattle

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