No way - it's derived from a conception of rights derived from Reason, God, or both. What you say sounds like a Postmodern interpretation, even revisionism, of

No way - it's derived from a conception of rights derived from Reason, God, or both. What you say sounds like a Postmodern interpretation, even revisionism, of the original intent. What else do you think self-evident meant? But even worse, you left out the very next part: "endowed by their Creator with Certain unalienable Rights". No, it is NOT about making change happen, or whatever hijacking of Truth is being attempted here, it's about solidifying a state (as in authority) different than other states created with other underlying principles.