Cryptologist Everyone says Americans have a “constitutional right” to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness but that’s not true. The phrase comes from the Declaration of Independence, not the U.S. Constitution, and the Declaration isn’t law. It was simply a statement by the colonists telling King George they no longer wanted to be ruled by England. The Constitution is what actually gives you enforceable rights like free speech, due process, and equal protection not the “pursuit of happines