Declaration of Independence and the Enlightenment ideals of freedom and equality . Analyze the Declaration of Independence and examine the connection between the Enlightenment ideals of freedom and equality . Do you believe the country upheld these ideals when this document was written? Why or why not? Are they upheld today? Does the government bear the responsibility of carrying out the ideals that the founders envisioned, and if so, how? What can you do today, as an individual citizen, to fulfill these ideals? Describe your position and provide specific examples.