"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."
(www.constitutionus.com)
This preamble to our constitution very clearly states the purpose of our government. Most notably, it begins with "We the People". Often it seems there is a growing sense of dis-connect from our government as though it is it's own entity apart from us. It was intended, designed from the beginning to be US - united - centered on justice and tranquility, a focus on general welfare, security and a national prosperity for all.
The cause for which our founders sacrificed and fought was noble. They sought to form a perfect union - a new democracy which would secure the "Blessings of Liberty" for all its citizens. It was to be a government "for the people and by the people". They established no monarchy. They established no national religion. And in the beginning, General Washington - President Washington - was reluctant to create a standing army.
We revere those servants who created our democracy. They are our beloved heroes. But we hate the very thing they created - our government. I believe if any one of them could speak today, they would tell us "If you are unhappy with what your elected officials are doing - do something about it!" I think they would be saying "We designed the constitution in a way that gives you power! YOU are the people we were talking about!"
They didn't sit on the sideline and complain. They did something. That something went far beyond saying "you're wrong". They created something that they believed was a better way. And they fought for it. They created a new form of government. They created it in a way that "We the People" can have a great deal of influence if we don't stand on the sidelines and give our power away.
As we enter this upcoming election cycle, many of us are going to grow weary of the political ads, the news soundbites, the calls, emails and knocks at the door. Now is the time to express yourself. Now is the time to get engaged. Now is the time to insist on solutions. Now is the time to offer solutions.
If there is an issue that bothers you, seek a representative that is actually talking about and is actually committed to a solution you believe will work. If they are not talking about the solution you believe is available - tell them what you believe will work! It's not enough to be against what someone else is willing to do. Be willing to commit to something better! Be ready to offer a better solution. That's what our founders did. That's what they sacrificed to create for us.
At the very least do this:
1) VOTE - and take time to learn about the candidates
2) Engage - tell your local candidates, state candidates, national candidates what you think.
3) We need to encourage an understanding of government at all levels.
Beyond that, we all need to see service to our community, our state and our country as an honorable thing to be respected.We need to stop talking politics and start insisting on service. Every representative of our government needs to be held to the highest standards of public service and gain our highest regard. It's what our founders did! It's what they intended and it is up to "We the People" to uphold.
Showing posts with label US Constitution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Constitution. Show all posts
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Lessons from 1787 - The Constitutional Convention
I believe we live in a most remarkable country - The United States. While we may be suffering a great divide in politics and struggling to enact solutions to problems - even unable to agree what the problems really are - it is a great country.
I find it interesting to look back in our history to try to gain perspective about what is happening today. Curiosity about the political current during the drafting of the constitution led me to the National Archives where I discovered this article, http://archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_history.html. That summer in 1787 brought together a group of men who were vastly different in their views concerning this young nation's governance. They put their lives on hold and stayed in Philadelphia for months on end until the convention reached it's conclusion - The first draft of the United States Constitution. And at the end - in the final vote - despite all their differences, name calling, differing philosophies - that draft passed by unanimous vote.
The work did not end there. This draft had to go before every state legislature for ratification. That draft had no Bill of Rights. States demanded those amendments.
Prior to the Constitution's passage, we had a loose confederation of states acting largely autonomously. The federal government had little power and little money. It's interesting to see what the issues were at the time that led these men to come together. Massive inflation - $100 for a pound of tea - debtors imprisoned, people loosing family farms due to excessive taxation....
What I find remarkable is the determination to create a solution. They argued and fought, debated, with name calling and maneuvering but they did not stop working toward a solution. They didn't end the process and walk away. They listened to each other - not always patiently - but they listened throughout the entire process and concerns from each side were considered and added.
At the end of the day, we wound up with a Constitution that wasn't perfect (it's been carefully amended over time) but it has served us well for more than 200 years. To me, one big message about the process was that there was great effort to balance power - between the branches of federal government, between the federal government and states and between these institutions and individual rights. There has been a tug of war ever since with a pushing and pulling of power.
In 1787, there was much concern about the emergence of an aristocracy. Some even thought it would be necessary to create order. Instead these leaders created a Republic. I believe they could not have created a successful government if they had not incorporated a fully collective input. Balance cannot come from one perspective.
My concern for this country now is about balance and polarization. No matter what side of issues you may stand, we need to hear each other. And we need to stay with one another long enough to come up with collective solutions. It's easy to do nothing and blame someone else for it. It's easy to look at what someone else has done and criticize it. The greatest things - the things that will stand the test of time - are those things we create together. It takes much more work, but it's worth it.
I find it interesting to look back in our history to try to gain perspective about what is happening today. Curiosity about the political current during the drafting of the constitution led me to the National Archives where I discovered this article, http://archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_history.html. That summer in 1787 brought together a group of men who were vastly different in their views concerning this young nation's governance. They put their lives on hold and stayed in Philadelphia for months on end until the convention reached it's conclusion - The first draft of the United States Constitution. And at the end - in the final vote - despite all their differences, name calling, differing philosophies - that draft passed by unanimous vote.
The work did not end there. This draft had to go before every state legislature for ratification. That draft had no Bill of Rights. States demanded those amendments.
Prior to the Constitution's passage, we had a loose confederation of states acting largely autonomously. The federal government had little power and little money. It's interesting to see what the issues were at the time that led these men to come together. Massive inflation - $100 for a pound of tea - debtors imprisoned, people loosing family farms due to excessive taxation....
What I find remarkable is the determination to create a solution. They argued and fought, debated, with name calling and maneuvering but they did not stop working toward a solution. They didn't end the process and walk away. They listened to each other - not always patiently - but they listened throughout the entire process and concerns from each side were considered and added.
At the end of the day, we wound up with a Constitution that wasn't perfect (it's been carefully amended over time) but it has served us well for more than 200 years. To me, one big message about the process was that there was great effort to balance power - between the branches of federal government, between the federal government and states and between these institutions and individual rights. There has been a tug of war ever since with a pushing and pulling of power.
In 1787, there was much concern about the emergence of an aristocracy. Some even thought it would be necessary to create order. Instead these leaders created a Republic. I believe they could not have created a successful government if they had not incorporated a fully collective input. Balance cannot come from one perspective.
My concern for this country now is about balance and polarization. No matter what side of issues you may stand, we need to hear each other. And we need to stay with one another long enough to come up with collective solutions. It's easy to do nothing and blame someone else for it. It's easy to look at what someone else has done and criticize it. The greatest things - the things that will stand the test of time - are those things we create together. It takes much more work, but it's worth it.
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