Recently, on my travels, I engaged in several casual conversations about the Constitution. The Preamble and its relevancy today perked my fellow American’s ears. Let’s review a few phrases that my new traveling acquaintances found interesting:
We the People
Those three words are the basis for our Constitution, which, unlike other governments, tells the government what it can and cannot do. https://civicsandcitizenship.org/2017-1-30-we-the-people/ Our Constitution limits and defines government authority. We the People are in charge, contrary to what some politicians, the press, or professors would have you believe. It says We the People, not they, the king, the dictator, or the president.
A More Perfect Union
Ask yourself, more perfect than what? Than the Articles of Confederation, which was a little too loose! For example, there was no president (no executive official) and no judicial branch (no legal official).To pass any legislation required a supermajority (nine of the original thirteen states). Notice that the Preamble does NOT say we are establishing “a perfect union,” which even our highest elected government officials tend to say is something we are trying to achieve.
Establish Justice
Since the Articles of Confederation had no court system, the U.S. Constitution offers Article III an orderly establishment of courts to establish justice. It does not say to establish justice along party lines.
Insure Domestic Tranquility
Shay’s Rebellion in 1786-87 was a Massachusetts tax protest that the central government, under the Articles of Confederation, couldn’t quell. There needed to be a means to settle disputes within the states that had the potential to break apart our union. The United States ensures domestic tranquility, not by dictatorship or misuse of justice but by freedom of speech and of the press, peaceful protest, and redress of grievances.
Provide For the Common Defense
Nobody pays taxes voluntarily; would you agree? Under the Articles of Confederation, we had a series of voluntary requisitions (asks) for money. When that proved insufficient, the United States, under the Constitution, funded (and still does) a military to provide for our common defense.
Promote the General Welfare
Notice that the Constitution does not even hint at giving specific citizens or groups specific welfare. The United States is to promote the general good (welfare or well-being) of its citizens.
Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our Posterity
What are the blessings of liberty? Who were the Founders referring to by the word “posterity?”
My traveling acquaintances were somewhat surprised to hear the words of the Preamble. They didn’t argue. Instead, one asked if they could join my class! You may be asking yourself why some of these phrases seem outdated today. They are not obsolete. They are in the Preamble to show what our Founders intended for us and what the Constitution, through its seven Articles and twenty-seven amendments, is to provide for us, in addition to securing our rights.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
Join the Conversation! https://www.facebook.com/commonsensecivics
