Of course, I don’t hide my opinion on my site in regards to things politically and I appreciate civil debate. I have been meaning to research and compare the modern day progressive with the progressive politics of the early 20th Century….It would seem to me that both versions at least consider the Constitution an “evolving” document that was meant to be drastically changed (and that does not mean that I argue for slavery or women’s rights to be suppressed, obviously those changes were necessary). I find it very disturbing that 20% of our country wants us to have a government modeled more after governments that have obviously failed in comparison.

I don’t think that any party would disagree with you on your point that “everyone deserves a chance to make their lives better.”, I absolutely agree with you and that is where the line “All men are created equal”. An emphasis on the word “created”, as carefully written by Jefferson and co-editors, to push the idea that we are all born into the world equally and have the right to shape our lives the way we want. It is a shame that it is read as just “All men are equal”, giving it a completely different meaning that would imply that people have an entitlement from the government to a equal lifestyle as their neighbor.

To be honest, I think that this exact line is the foundation for the separation between party beliefs and how we interpret it.

Very interesting family history though! You have quite the story behind you!