We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
How many of our Congresscritters have ever read this document, let alone digest and understand it?
How many hope, nay, depend on the ignorance of their constituency on what this document actually states, as compared to what the politicians claim it states?
What a magnificent piece of work our Constitution is. In a little over 4,000 words, the framework for a system of government unlike that of any previously attempted was laid. 4,000 words. Should be an easy hour's read; perhaps half-a-day to digest entirely (FWIW, I scanned it in a little over six minutes).
And yet we've strayed so far from this hallowed parchment. In some areas, it's been necessary as we added new territory and corrected fundamental wrongs inherent in the society of the time. In other areas, not so necessary, and in other still, downright hostile to the original intent of the Founding Fathers.
How did we get so far removed from the framework laid down, and how can we best get back to it?
That's a question I wish I could answer...
Happy Constitution Day, everyone. Please take the time to read this document today. If you think of it, read it to your kids (I'm going to bore mine tonight). Take the time to educate a friend, a co-worker, a family member. Remember the sacrifices needed to make this document a reality, and the continuing sacrifices made on its behalf to this very day.
That is all.
4 comments:
How did we get so far removed from the framework laid down
Go back to the concept of liberty and independence, instead of today's zeal for dependence (with someone else footing the bill) and groupthink/pack-mentality.
Not everyone wants to be independent, though. They'll admit that the public at large doesn't know what's best for them and can't be counted upon to make the really important decisions without government oversight.
Well, except for abortion. That one's sacrosanct. The rest? Let big bro handle it.
In my opinion the Bill of Rights part of it is one of the most important documents ever written. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most abused.
Someone should mail the Obama campaign thousands of copies of the Bill of Rights with the 2nd Amendment bolded / highlighted.
"How did we get so far removed from the framework laid down?"
Jay, I'd say the reinvention of the very concept of "rights" has had a great deal to do with it.
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