In the early summer days of 1776, a group of men gathered in Philadelphia to craft a document that has become one of history’s great declarations of liberty. In a time and place where challenging the King was considered treason, the Continental Congress declared that the King had no right to claim authority over them.

Their declaration began by asserting that certain truths were self-evident. Today, 85% of American adults agree with the first “self-evident” truth—that all men are created equal. Ninety-one percent (91%) agree with the second of those truths—that we are all are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights including Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

However, only 56% agree with the Declaration’s assertion that governments derive their just power from the consent of the governed. Twenty-six percent (26%) disagree and 18% are not sure. This result is so startling that Rasmussen Reports will explore it more fully in additional surveys next week. It might be tied to general dissatisfaction with the federal government that has become prevalent in recent decades. Earlier surveys have found that hardly anybody believes the government today reflects the will of the people. Solid majorities think the federal government has become a special interest group that looks out primarily for its own interests.

On a lighter note, 40% of adults were able to properly select John Hancock as the first to sign the document. Twenty percent (20%) thought it was Thomas Jefferson, the man credited with drafting the agreement.

Twenty-three percent (23%) thought George Washington was President of that Continental Congress and 19% said Jefferson. Again, the proper answer was Hancock and only 16% got it right.

Other recent surveys have found that, if an election were held today, 91% would vote for the Constitution as the fundamental law of the land. A majority continues to believe that there is more danger in giving government too much power than in giving it too little power.

A separate survey found that just 17% believe working for the government is more honorable than working in the private sector.

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