Pursuit of Happiness

Dear Victorious,

The U.S. Constitution says that its citizens are entitled to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Do you think that's wise?

Hank R. - Gadsen, AL

Dear Hank,

No, I don't. It sounds good and noble, of course. But the problem is happiness is poorly defined in the U.S. Constitution. We've spent the last 230 years writing laws, bills and other forms of legislation to box in the pursuit of happiness. We knew that life was an entitlement. We knew that slavery wouldn't be allowed (liberty). But it pretty much left everything else to interpretation.

We have since learned that when left to their own devices, Americans can define the "pursuit of happiness" in many ways that infringe on the rights of others. It can become very offensive to everyone else, if not dangerous.

It may have been better for the American constitution to define something else besides happiness as our inalienable right. I believe if most of us were honest, we'd like to see happiness as something that doesn't offend, infringe or hurt anyone else. We'd like to see happiness that doesn't disenfranchise someone else. We'd like everyone to be winners - as long as there were no losers.

It seems to me that we are now locked in a struggle to pursue and achieve happiness --- when it is an abstract notion that few of us can actually define ... much less achieve.