{"id":3069,"date":"2026-06-30T18:08:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T18:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanmovershub.com\/?p=3069"},"modified":"2026-06-30T18:08:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T18:08:18","slug":"opinion-limited-government-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanmovershub.com\/?p=3069","title":{"rendered":"Opinion: Limited government and the pursuit of happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Editor\u2019s note: <\/b>This is the sixth and final piece in a series exploring the ideas behind America\u2019s founding. Each piece accompanies a master class on the Declaration of Independence from Utah Valley University\u2019s Center for Constitutional Studies. The classes are free and open to the public. Read more about and access the classes <\/i>here<\/i>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Read more July events and activities in Utah<\/a><\/p>\n

As we head into the July 4 weekend and our celebration of America\u2019s 250th birthday, we wrap up this series of essays and reflect on what good government secures for its citizens: the pursuit of happiness. <\/p>\n

The most important principle of the Declaration of Independence is that government is not the most important thing in life. <\/p>\n

The phrase, \u201cto secure these rights, governments are instituted among men,\u201d suggests that government is no doubt indispensable. Without well-ordered government, our unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness would be in constant peril, and safety would be something enjoyed only by the strong.<\/p>\n

\n
More from the Center for Constitutional Studies’ masterclass series:<\/strong><\/h5>\n
<\/div>\n