Final answer:
Americans live up to the ideals stated in the Declaration of Independence more fully than the Founders by continuously working towards social and legal reforms for equality, such as the abolition of slavery, the civil rights movement, and the protection of rights for marginalized groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, is a historic document that emphasizes ideals such as "all men are created equal" and posits that individuals are endowed with unalienable rights like Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. However, the Founders, including Jefferson, failed to fully embody these principles due to their condonation of slavery. Today, Americans strive to live up to these principles more fully through continuous social progress and legal advancements. The abolition of slavery with the 13th Amendment, the civil rights movement leading to laws that dismantle segregation and Jim Crow, the ongoing fight for gender equality, LGBT rights, and anti-discrimination laws are all ways in which Americans attempt to realize the Declaration's promise of equality more fully than the Founding Fathers did.
In modern times, the Declaration's principles continue to influence and fuel movements for social justice and reform, thereby progressing toward a more inclusive interpretation of "all men" to encompass all people, regardless of race, gender, or creed. While the journey is ongoing, today's Americans live in a society that legally recognizes equality far beyond the limited scope found in the original framework of 1776.