The declaration of independence states: whenever any form of government
becomes destructive of those ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it,
and to institute new government. this idea can be traced back to the writings of

Sir thomas more, venerated in the catholic church as saint thomas more, was an english lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman, and noted renaissance humanist. he was also a councillor to henry viii, and lord high chancellor of england from october 1529 to 16 may 1532. i found this information on wikipedia