The question can only have a subjective answer. With that being said, the Declaration of Independence should be the cornerstone of contemporary American politics. This world famous document should be displayed in the political party offices in the United States.
The purpose was to explain why the colonies ought to be free from Great Britain.
Birth certificate ought to do it.
That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
You say to your soldier, 'Do this' and he does it. But I am obliged to say to the American, 'This is why you ought to do this' and then he does it.
You say to your soldier, 'Do this' and he does it. But I am obliged to say to the American, 'This is why you ought to do this' and then he does it.
For the best is often unattainable, and therefore the ... statesman ought to be acquainted, not only with that which is best in the abstract, but also with that which is best relative to circumstances....
For the best is often unattainable, and therefore the ... statesman ought to be acquainted, not only with that which is best in the abstract, but also with that which is best relative to circumstances....
The past tense of ought is ought.
The phrase "are and of right ought to be..." was not in Jefferson's "rough" draft but was added by the Congress. To find the person (or persons) who recommended that phrase, you will need to do some research. Of the many books that examine the wording and the drafts of the Declaration of Independence and that might have a note about the author(s) of those words, three are easily available:--Pauline Maier, American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence--Gary Wills, Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence--Carl Becker, Declaration of Independence: A Study in the History of Political IdeasUnfortunately, Jefferson's extensive notes about the history and the development of the Declaration do not mention the phrase or its origin.Here is another clue that might help you in your search. On March 18, 1766, the British Parliament issued the "Declaratory Act" ("An act for the better securing the dependency of his majesty's dominions in America upon the crown and parliament of Great Britain"), in which it was declared that "the said colonies and plantations in America have been, are, and of right ought to be, subordinate unto, and dependent upon the imperial crown and parliament of Great Britain; and that the King's majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons of Great Britain, in parliament assembled, (has), bath, and of right ought to have, full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, subjects of the crown of Great Britain, in all cases whatsoever...." [emphasis added]Thus, England's own words and justification for keeping the colonies subordinate to her power and authority were turned against her when the colonies announced that "these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States...." Whether that happened by design or by coincidence, you may be able to discern after you have researched the issue.That's nice and all but...Richard Henry Lee originally said that.
Ought is already acceptable in past tense. 'Ought to be' is present tense, while 'Ought to have been' or 'Ought to have' is past tense.
Only sovereign nations can officially declare war so as British territories, the American colonies could not technically declare war against the Empire. In fact, the American colonies never tried to declare against Great Britain; the Declaration of Independence was exactly what the name suggests, a declaration of sovereignty which did not require open warfare. If the British had not viewed the Declaration as an act of war and simply accepted the loss of their American holdings, the Revolutionary War would likely not have occurred. The Declaration is viewed as a declaration of war due to the successive events. Its actual language, however, is on the face much less combative. Succinctly stated, the Declaration asserts that humans have an inherent dignity which entitles each individual to his "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" and due to this value of the common man, all governments derive their power from the governed. Due to this contract, the Declaration asserts that a constituency displeased with the government has the right to change their government or establish new government, by revolution if necessary. It then goes on to list a series of grievances against King George III which the Second Continental Congress viewed as grounds for being sufficiently displeased with the British monarch to effectively secede from the Empire, as all attempts to reform the contemporary relationship had failed. Thus it concludes that "these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do."
Lee proposed the resolution that "We are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." This lead to the Declaration of Independence to justify the separation to the world.