SO AS TO INTRODUCE THE PREAMBLE OF THE CONSTITUTION

 Posting 2

(with apologies to J. Duzarf)

To the readers:

The Preamble to the United States Constitution, while carrying no force of law itself, sums up the intent of the framework that follows. I do not know if its words are still being memorized by school children, but I know of at least one children’s educational program that set the Preamble to a pretty catchy tune. And this writer, when reciting the section, will often find himself silently singing the song (much to the relief of those around him).

 The Preamble is one long sentence that lists the who, the what, and the whys. The “who” is “we the people of the United States.” The “what” is to "ordain and establish this constitution of the United States of America.” In between are the “whys:” seven purposes on the minds of the people for which they ordained and established this document.

“We the people of the United States.” This is extraordinary, for it is essentially saying that the Constitution is actually not owned by the government, but by the people. It was not a king, president, senator, or political operative who is responsible for this document, it is “we:” the collective whole. As such, it would seem that the government serves the people.

A story is told to the effect that, because of the writers did not know which states would ratify this new document, they deliberately left it open by referring to the “people of the United States.” It was ratified by 9 states on June 21, 1788, then by two more a little more than a month later. The final two states ratified the Constitution in 1789 and 1790 respectively. There was much debate and contention, which only demonstrates that honest human beings can disagree, yet still come to produce one of the most amazing documents in the history of the world. They “ordained and established this Constitution of the United States of America.”

Should you the reader interpret the previous statement as hyperbole and so be put off by it, consider that the Constitution of the United States has been used as a model in other countries, such as Australia. It has been in continuous use in this country since its ratification, laying out for us a frame of government that has endured over 230 years. As the oldest signer of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin, said, “I consent Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.”

Critics of the Constitution would do well to give Franklin’s words some thought. It is not a perfect document and, at times in our history, it has not always lived up to its purpose. But it may be the best we have. The Constitution, ordained and established by "we the people," deserves all due respect and consideration. And should you disagree; well, it is what we have.

 by Aplo