Is it at risk? 230 years later.
"A republic, if you can keep it." Is what Benjamin Franklin said to someone asking about the government. created in Philadelphia, and ratified in 1787. A balance between the People's House, the State's House (US Senate), and the Executive. A judiciary, that many thought had too much power (they were right) to keep the rights of states and people intact, and to keep the federal government in check. A series of checks and balances, that have been exaggerated, lampooned, but mostly shoved off into the corner.
We the People is how it begins. For the first time in world history, a written brake on government. A statement of limitations placed on a governing body. Not by the lords, or dukes, but by the People.
It was all about what the People said the government COULD do. And more importantly, what it COULD NOT do. The Bill of Rights exist, only because some states wanted them. They were left out, specifically because many of those in Philadelphia felt that by listing rights, that would let future congresses contain rights NOT listed.
It wasn't easy. Many wanted to outlaw slavery, but that would never happen. An issue came up, and is used, incorrectly today, regarding how to count slaves. This is the infamous 3/5ths Rule. Yes, how horrible to think that we would count a human being as 3/5ths of a person. Right? May I give you an alternative viewpoint?
By counting those who were considered property as 3/5ths, instead of 1 for congressional apportionment, it reduced the number of Southern Congressmen. Again, it REDUCED the number of Slave state representatives. Virginia didn't want to count as 3/5ths, South Carolina didn't want that. It was a compromise, in favor of the North.
The end of the Slave trade was written in to the Constitution. Slavery was started into a death spiral. Unfortunately, it had to be forced, in a Constitutional Crises, with the price paid in blood. There is no question that the debt for this "original sin" of the United States, was paid. The US Congress recognizes those who served on BOTH SIDES as military veterans. Most fighting for the Confederacy were not fighting for slavery, but for the sovereignty of their state.
The Constitution is still with us, but it is at risk. It is not taught like it should be. It is not understood like it should be, even by those who have sworn oaths to defend it. Without understanding the Constitution, our Republic is finished. It has been amended 27 times, not always for the best, with a very specific method of affecting these changes. (okay, there is another method, commonly referred to as Article V, but another day for that) The idea of a living constitution was unknown to those who wrote it. Else, why would they include processes to amend it?
Can we take a moment to honor this document? To honor those men, none of whom were perfect, who gathered, argued, and ultimately united? Can we just have a moment to know that this was an inspired document? That the "Father of Lights" as Benjamin Franklin referred to Him, gave wisdom to those working to create this great work.
How much do you know about the US Constitution? Here is a quiz to check.
https://secure.hillsdale.edu/2015/constitution-quiz/
We the People is how it begins. For the first time in world history, a written brake on government. A statement of limitations placed on a governing body. Not by the lords, or dukes, but by the People.
It was all about what the People said the government COULD do. And more importantly, what it COULD NOT do. The Bill of Rights exist, only because some states wanted them. They were left out, specifically because many of those in Philadelphia felt that by listing rights, that would let future congresses contain rights NOT listed.
It wasn't easy. Many wanted to outlaw slavery, but that would never happen. An issue came up, and is used, incorrectly today, regarding how to count slaves. This is the infamous 3/5ths Rule. Yes, how horrible to think that we would count a human being as 3/5ths of a person. Right? May I give you an alternative viewpoint?
By counting those who were considered property as 3/5ths, instead of 1 for congressional apportionment, it reduced the number of Southern Congressmen. Again, it REDUCED the number of Slave state representatives. Virginia didn't want to count as 3/5ths, South Carolina didn't want that. It was a compromise, in favor of the North.
The end of the Slave trade was written in to the Constitution. Slavery was started into a death spiral. Unfortunately, it had to be forced, in a Constitutional Crises, with the price paid in blood. There is no question that the debt for this "original sin" of the United States, was paid. The US Congress recognizes those who served on BOTH SIDES as military veterans. Most fighting for the Confederacy were not fighting for slavery, but for the sovereignty of their state.
The Constitution is still with us, but it is at risk. It is not taught like it should be. It is not understood like it should be, even by those who have sworn oaths to defend it. Without understanding the Constitution, our Republic is finished. It has been amended 27 times, not always for the best, with a very specific method of affecting these changes. (okay, there is another method, commonly referred to as Article V, but another day for that) The idea of a living constitution was unknown to those who wrote it. Else, why would they include processes to amend it?
Can we take a moment to honor this document? To honor those men, none of whom were perfect, who gathered, argued, and ultimately united? Can we just have a moment to know that this was an inspired document? That the "Father of Lights" as Benjamin Franklin referred to Him, gave wisdom to those working to create this great work.
How much do you know about the US Constitution? Here is a quiz to check.
https://secure.hillsdale.edu/2015/constitution-quiz/
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