NamJap ji

This is a very important point you are making. The Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence are based on a theory of "negative rights."

As you quoted, “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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. … “
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/interfaith-dialogues/23744-slavery-perspectives-sikhism-christianity-other-faiths.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23744

Negative rights means that basic rights are NOT given, because they always existed. In the US constitution, rights are assumed to exist and the government (federal, state and local) may NOT pass any legislation to remove these basic, inalienable rights.

In constitutional governments where rights are given to people (theory of affirmative rights) the government can easily then take those rights away.

The US Britain and Commonwealth may be the countries where rights are assumed under "negative rights." The US gained this idea from the Magna Carta of England.

I think this is also consistent with Sikhism.