These are the epochal first three words of the US Constitution – a work of not only political significance but also containing tremendous individual and global significance.
With that said, there is a lot of talk amongst the political parties – both conservative and liberal, right and left – about the Constitution these days. There seems to have been a barrage of hyperbole in this election cycle about how the government or any given political party is straying further and further away from the Constitution, and how we as a country might remedy that ill.
Claims like that certainly shouldn’t be taken lightly on any day. But today – Constitution Day - it becomes more readily apparent. No, it is not just another Hallmark Day. Today is a day to reflect on the US Constitution, its significance, and how we should not let politicians play frivolously with its wording and intent.
On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by 39 men . This ultimately lead to the Bill Of Rights, the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. This is all pretty amazing stuff – a document that is one of the landmark works of Western civilization.
I don’t think the Founding Fathers would have ever thought that there would be so much fear-driven hyperbole surrounding the Constitution that would serve to stoke the the fires of countless political agendas. Worse yet, the public oftentimes can’t – or won’t – distinguish between the intent and the agendas and the fear. And perhaps the worst of all is that it is taken for granted by many within our own borders.
As I was going through the steps to become a US citizen, I had to review US civics, politics, and geography. Frankly, I knew much of the material before I ever set foot in the country (Canadians tend to learn a lot about Big Brother to the south). But it was also a great refresher course on the purpose, the intent, and the meaning of the Constitution.
I think all citizens would do well to take a refresher course to simply assist in clarifying some of the diatribe that is espoused in political “debates”.
“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.”
It all comes down to one simple phrase: We The People. We, the people of the United States, have the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But those treasured and sacred rights go hand in hand with the responsibility to maintain them. We have to stand up to protect those rights, stand up for the values and meaning inherent to the Constitution, stand up to have our voices heard and our actions duly noted, and to vote for those that represent values consistent with the Constitution.
On Constitution Day, We The People should pause to reflect on the beauty, wisdom, and fragility of our Constitution. Take a few minutes to read it. If we all did, it would make this country a far better place at election time.
Photo credits: joelrivlin
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