A Ration of America
[Cut-out Poem from the United States Declaration of Independence]
When in the Course of human events
one People dissolve the Other
to assume the powers of Nature,
Mankind requires separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident:
that all men are, that Life, Liberty and Happiness
are transient and accordingly, while evils are sufferable,
when a long train of abuses evinces Despotism
it is their duty to throw off such Tyranny.
To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a world:
Laws utterly neglect people, call together bodies
for the sole purpose of Annihilation,
endeavor to prevent the Naturalization of Foreigners,
obstruct Justice by establishing
Standing Armies superior to Civil power,
protecting them from punishment
for any Murders which they should commit
on the Inhabitants of the world,
imposing taxes on us
an Arbitrary government
has plundered seas, ravaged Coasts, burnt towns
and destroyed the lives of people,
at this time transporting Armies of Mercenaries
to compleat works of death, desolation, cruelty
and perfidy paralleled in the most barbarous ages,
totally worthy of executioners.
Our repeated Petitions have been answered
only by repeated injury. Wanting Peace
we, therefore, ate America,
in General Congress, Assembled.