We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce, schools and colleges to train our workers.

Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life's worst hazards and misfortune.

We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity.

For one, the decade from 1999 to 2009 delivered only a 2 percent rise in wage growth for workers, representing a sharp turn-about from the 22 percent in wage gains recorded from 1979 through 1999.

Let us continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they've never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth.

The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob. They gave to us a republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.