People usually like to talk about themselves, so let us talk about us for a change; let's talk about,
"We the people."
I was 13 years old. It was the last class of the eighth grade. The exam was a 100 question quiz on one of the subjects I had come to adore: the U. S. Constitution. If you passed this exam, you went on to high school, but if you failed this one exam, no matter what your other grades were in all the other classes in eighth grade, you would not be going to high school. THAT was how important this one exam was to us eighth graders.
It was no problem for me, because as I stated: I absolutely adored the subject. I sat down, went through the questions, answered them without hesitation, arose, handed the exam to the instructor and looked back at all my classmates. As usual, I had finished the exam first, but this time I felt uneasy because the test seemed just too easy. Was that it? Mr. Thomas said, "You may go home now. You have just completed the eighth grade. You'll be notified of your grade in the mail."
As it turned out, I was the only eighth grader who received a perfect score on the exam; I was astonished, because I considered the test rather simple. I don't know what my mother did with the pin I received for that little accomplishment. It's probably stored in some box, somewhere on the property. What does remain is my undying love for that document -- that great document that shall NEVER die --
The United States Constitution!
*************************************************************
This article has nothing to do with quizzes or tests, though.
It's merely a question -- my question to all of you:
Can we talk about something? The "something" is very simple, really. . . three words --
"WE. . .THE. . .PEOPLE."
I'm curious about what Americans and all Gatherers (not just Americans) think about those words.
I'm wondering what they mean to people?
Has anyone wondered why the Framers -- who took such great care in constructing this document, this masterpiece, a document that I consider to be one of the most brilliantly, thoughtfully, and carefully written documents ever crafted -- did this?
Did what, you may ask?
Well, why did they so grossly enlarge those three words, "We the People"?
What in the heaven's name were they thinking?
Or, were they NOT thinking at all?
Might we discuss it?
Might we discuss it, along with the entire Preamble, for I shall promise you these fellows placed deep, very profound meaning into each and every line, every word, every placement, even the size of every word in this document called the Constitution.
Preamble:
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.
Nothing -- I promise you -- was left to . . . circumstance/chance. It was all done by design, and much of it done for the sake of posterity, for a time when they would no longer be around to explain. . . .
Shall we, the recipients of the intended "posterity" talk about it?
What a pleasure it would be to hear the opinions of others about this document!
I would wager many, if not all of the Framers would have loved to be here to know what has become of their beloved Constitution; have the Citizenry honoured it? Have the Citizenry understood it, regarded it? What do you think the Framers would say were they here today about the Constitution? If you like, I'll provide a list of the original founders, understanding, of course that different leaders were involved in different parts of writing the Constitution. That being said, it would be no problem to provide a list of they who were involved in the Preamble, which is the topic of discussion in this article.
Freedom of Speech -- good, or bad. . .Freedom of Speech. The Framers would say,
"There are no right answers or wrong answers here. You have the right to speak freely, for this is what this new land, this land that we call The United States of America is all about."
Couldn't you just hear Mr. Benjamin Franklin saying that? Yes, I can as well, so then
Shall we begin?
About the Photo:
I don't ever think I have ever felt so proud as I do now to do this. It really gives me such great pleasure. It is an honour as I swell with pride to present to you an image of the original -- that's right, this photo is of the original that is housed in the National Archive. At this time I want to pause a moment in this month of May to salute those living the words of the Preamble --
as they serve this country, be they in Afghanistan or Iraq, they don't just speak the words, but perform the service of forming a more perfect Union, establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, securing the blessings of liberty, securing the blessings of liberty, securing the blessings of liberty, securing the blessings of liberty to us, for us, and to our posterity, maintaining, preserving, defending, protecting, and honouring this Constitution of the United States of America. "Tnank you". How could that ever be payment enough, and yet when we say it, how they smile and beam with pride, don't they?
Preamble to the U. S. Constitution:
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.
I repeat,
Shall we begin?!!!
Start anywhere you would like. Freedom is the key!
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 71
In the monarchies power was assumed to be granted by God to the Sovereign (the King or Queen) and by divine decree bestowed unto all their heirs, as supported by the aristocracy and land-owning classes.
The United States, as conceived of by the founders, was to be a land in which power could only be derived from "the people", only they could bestow it on whomever they chose and only they could take it away. Ultimate power in the hands of the people.
It was a bold idea. As Lincoln observed during the Civil War, in his famous Gettysburg address, America was a nation "...conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men were created equal..." and he believed that war was first and foremost about whether "...any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure." This is why Lincoln, who even before becoming president was known as an abolitionist, did not place the elimination of slavery as the first goal of the Civil War. As laudible as ending slavery was, he felt the preservation of the Union, of the nation of United States, was the first goal: "...that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth."
Now, as the USA stands at a crossroads, with those currently in power actively seeking to undermine and diminish the constitution, that Lincoln's words, as well as those of the framers of the constitution, are so important to reflect on and consider.
Thank you so much for this wonderful and provocative read. I hope it gets us talking!
good to 'read' you again. I shall come back for more comments. I read the article but did not read all the comments. Rory's in particular I read the first par.
I will just say that the constitution applies to ALL people on US soil. Heard a lot of these right wing talk radio heads saying that illegal immigrants are not protected by the constitution. That's a fallacy.
So I guess that partly answers your question. The PEOPLE to me means human beings on US soil. They may not have the right to vote, they many not be US citizens but they are PEOPLE and the US Constitution protects them. The protection part is not my interpretation, its the fact.
Julie yes we are all descendants of immigrants and what make this nation so great is that it lets all people have the opportunity to realize their dreams. BUT illegal aliens are illegal aliens, not immigrants. Our immigration laws are fine, what is not fine is illegal immigration.
Without the law we have anarchy.
good article Nalita, that coming from Keith , I live in "The Constitution State" Kalish.
Besides the John Adams series, the History Channel had a good a series last year called "The American Revolution", they also did just prior to that a show about George Washington, using the same actors and sets, also a good one.
After watching that series , it makes you wonder how they did what they did.
A real unifying force during the war was the words of Thomas Paine's Common sense that inspired many when their spirits were down. I have my own copy, I had my 10 year old step son read it. Never too young to learn about our nation.
Your article is wonderful. I enjoyed it so much, especially seeing the document. Thank You, and may God Bless America.
But the reason We the People is writ large is that this nation is governed by We the People. Ultimately every power is reserved to the people. As individuals we are allowed to govern ourselves according to either our own standards, or, failing that, the standards of the nation.
Remember, there is no law prohibiting roller skating in a buffalo herd. You can't roller skate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to. Still, while there is no law prohibiting roller skating in a buffalo herd, there are laws prohibiting irritating the buffalo. You can irritate a bison, so there is a law against it.
this was back when God fearing men, good men ran this country. Now we have a government that listens to athiests and will not allow even a basketball coach to bow his head before a college name.
We forgot about one nation UNDER GOD
the atheists and weirdos need to accelerate taking a dirt nap or get out of the way
So shall we call this - "Freedom, with a twist"?? (the "twist" being, you're not quite as "free" as you think you are?) Sure, feel "free" to express your opinions, but be prepared for the possible CONSEQUENCES, if someone doesn't happen to LIKE your opinions!
Some opinions could earn you a trip to "indefinite detention". Others could earn you 24 hour a day surveillance... Ready to say goodbye to your privacy?? Ok with your house, phone, and car, being bugged? How about cameras in your bedroom?? Don't mind if clandestine operatives point 'listening devices' at you, from afar, wherever you are? Ok with satellites in space, tracking your every move? Or how about a little chip inserted, just under the skin??
So go ahead, say what you want, as long as you don't mind all of that...
(of course if you voice complete agreement with the Republican agenda, unconditionally support every war effort America engages in, praise G. Bush regularly, & make it clear you HATE all Muslims, you should be able to avoid all that...)
Oh yeh, and since many of those 'DHS operatives' are kind of low quality people, (who else would be willing to subvert the constitutional rights of American citizens, for a paycheck??) expect that some of those pics they take of you in your bedroom, will get sold on the black market, or maybe they'll just get passed around, in proprietary circles, to be laughed at? (depending on how good you look, with your clothes off) And some of that private info they glean, via their clandestine activities, WILL be used inappropriately, to harass, persecute, and otherwise inconvenience you. ESPECIALLY if they don't like your opinions. Since there really are no protections in place, to PREVENT any of that!
Face it people, there is no "freedom" left, and the Dept. of Homeland Security is now ALL POWERFUL! (unless and until WE take the power back, and AWAY from THEM!)
GT
Of the people, by the people, for the people.
This has been largely forgotten. Especially in the last eight years. The purpose of government is to conform to the wishes and needs of the people. There are some that are willing to too readily conform to the wishes and needs of elected officials instead, as if the elected were royalty rather than public servants. I often hear the phrase "Support the president". How about expecting the president to support we, the people? How about a new battle cry of "Support the People!" Or "Stand by the People!"
A girl at my son's university actually said that the role of congress is to support the president. Shocking lack of knowledge but not surprising since she has grown up in this era being constantly reminded that anyone who disagrees with this administration is unpatriotic.
to say about what is wrong with the Good Old USA, but don't step a foot into a voting place and that in itself is a sad thing. Of course, we did make amendments to the
consitution along the way, and they were all ratified by all the states, granting the women right to vote, many others, but what is happening now, there are no amendments being made, just legislation taking freedoms away inch by inch. I realize this, as I am a senior citizen and know what it was like, when I was just a kid
and thought to myself, I am so glad I was born an American. I realized then how
lucky I was and that was over 75 years ago. A lot of changes have taken place
over these years, some good, some not so hot, but it is still up to We the People, and I tell you, it would not surprise me to see an uprising of some sort in the next couple of
decades (I will not see it ) but the younger generation, late teens and such, are becoming very concerned. I think that is good, and I hope they can change things
not so much by words , but by deeds, before another revolution is upon us. Good article, makes you think doesn't it?
As for your question about the size of the text, "We the People," it's standard legalese. If you look at legal documents today (especially contracts), you'll find many such similar phrases to be in all-caps (larger than the rest of the document).
But one thing did strike me when you pointed out that "We the People" is set out from the remainder of the document: in modern American society, people do not think of themselves as People, and we do not legislate as such. Instead of being "People," we are men, women, black, white, gay, straight, etc. I believe that this learned distinction has led us to a certain ingrained elitism, that being those who belong to the same group identification that one is in would be looked upon more favourably than those in other group identifiers. Further to this point, this had led to the necessity of legislation requiring individuals to treat other individuals as persons and not as members of the same group classification that they are in.
OK I'm just waking up right now so I might not be stating this as well as I need be but I think you can get the basic idea of what I'm trying to say, right?
all things being 'equal' and all people being 'equal' (*and under God we are) perhaps it could be remembered what non Americans had to say in the song 'we can work it out, life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend'
Only God treats everyone equal and only He can makes things right. Only He can work it out so the entire world of 'people' survives the crisis it's in
We cherish our country and the founding ideals and institutions on which it stands;
We respect our differences and recognize that the United States of America needs every one of our viewpoints, ideas, and passions -- even those we don't agree with -- to keep our democracy vital and alive;
We recognize that meeting here and across our land for dialogues across differences builds trust, understanding, respect, and empowerment -- the conditions necessary for freedom and democracy to live in us and around us;
And, therefore, each still grounded in our own considered views (conscience and convictions), we commit ourselves and our communities of interest to foster dialogue across the many divides in America, in large and small groups, to build trust, insight, and inspired action toward the more perfect union we all desire;
Everything I looked at comes back to one thing -- money's influence on politics. Not to oversimplify things, but it's quite amazing. If you want to talk about the environment, about civil rights, about gender issues, about education, it all comes down to who has the money, who has the financial wherewithal to get their ideas heard.
it took a hand full of people to write the U. S. Constitution.
and all it will take is dollars to change it..
A box none-the-less painted on the outside red, white and blue. I reach inside my box to touch freedom and touch all sides which is the box called America. Is it empty?
I pick my box up while standing in a room containing many other boxes of vaious sizes, shape and colors, some old, others new, while still others are in a poor state of appearance and disrepair, their shape all but lost.
I look inside my box for freedom which is empty, or so it would appear. Overtime I put this and that inside the empty space I find use and purpose for my box as begans to fill up with 'We the People' and now it contains so many different things.
So I ask, where is freedom to be found in this box, was freedom there when it was empty or as I began to put 'We the People' things inside, or is it because its painted on the outside.
Don't know what freedom inside the box is for sure, but what I do know is this box belongs to me and every "We the People" I put inside.
I guess the freedom is that I can call it mine and everything inside inside this box and I'll never let anyone or anything take it away from me.
I think that the Framers would be appalled by such atrocities as Abu Graib and Gitmo and even more shocked at the present ability of the Executive Branch (law enforcement) to remove anyone of "the people" they feel like, take them off to wherever they want to that's within the borders of a country where "marshall law" rules apply, detain them, torture them -- all without benefit of counsel or Writ of Habeas Corpus and only return them when and IF they feel like it...
Jefferson himself said that, if allowed to go on for several years (I believe his number was "8"), ANY government (including OURS) would gradually push civil rights laws to their breaking point in order to allow it to do whatever it felt like... He advocated the citizenry to pick up arms and stage a revolution against the government merely on that assumption, that power corrupts and absolute... well, you know the rest...
The original Founders refused to let Benjamin Franklin (who happened to be an avowed atheist) -- probably the most brilliant mind among them and the one most vocal concerning the rights of the common man -- write the Constitution NOT because he was an atheist but because they were concerned that he might sneak in little humorous or cryptic bits that they wouldn't find until AFTER it had been ratified...
Madison was very big on property owner rights... Probably much more so than any of the others and he made absolutely certain that the interests of landowners and the rich were upheld (some say MORE than upheld...) within the Constitution... That is why you see no references to the civil rights of slaves or women in it...
The Consitution is, like all other works of Man, a flawed thing... But, at the time, it was a completely revolutionary document and the most "people friendly" document that the world had ever seen... Where it disappoints in bestowing "power to the people" is in the manner of appointment of the Judicial Branch, specifically the Supreme Court, which has allowed the Office of the President -- especially administrations with more than one term -- to populate the Bench with only "like-minded" appointees.
However, to be fair, if, over the years, our Representatives in the Congress hadn't adopted this rather "rubber-stamping" behavior as concerns affirmations of these appointments, the whole system might function as it was meant to...
By the people, of the people and for the people; that wonderful Greek philosophy, seems evident in the bold text.
Ordinary people can make extradordinary changes, many of us just seem to have forgotten that WE ARE THE PEOPLE in recent decades, leaving too much of our power in so few.
Merely my opinion. Again, great article Neet, and very thought provoking.
Standing in a long line, the youngest was tired and so I was holding him. After a while he became too heavy and so I sat down on the steps with him in my lap. A guard came over and said I had to stand. Despite telling him my problem, he could care less and told me if I didn't stand at once, he would call for security and have me thrown out. I looked at him in amazement and asked if he had not ever read the Constitution he was "guarding"? He said "It's really none of your damn business lady!" at which he called for backup. By the time the "backup" arrived, others in the line came to my defense....regular Americans who stood up for our rights. It was truly awe inspiring. The first guard was "relieved" and the second apologised. I will always remember that day....and my boys do now....Will is now 36 and he said, "That day you taught me a real lesson, Mom."
We do not have kings, nor will we suffer dictators (for long.)
WE THE PEOPLE means exactly that: Of, By, and FOR the people. Not the rulers. Not the profiteers. Not the Church. Not PACs, or Lobbyists, nor one party over another.
No one (or no one group or groups) shall hold sway over The People.
In this sense--The People come closer to lifting up brother/sisterhood than any other constitution or document in the world. We were the first. We are still one of the FEW countries that defies that contemptuous life, that of the downtrodden.
We will not let it be so now, either. We will not pass that type of watered-down constitution on to our children and grandchildren. We will stand up and send the Current Mad Hatter Bus Drivers back to Texas. It will, once again, be We.
I'm tired of the "us" and "them" mentality. They have so divided us, as a people, that we can't even see a cohesive national portrait. Now, THAT would be a work of art. I think. A mosaic that depicts the whole of the nation of all people; doing what they do best. Living. I think it should be put opposite the 'Nam memorial. Why did we lose all those "kids" in the 60s and 70s, except to preserve that "life" ideology?
Please keep God in your house (if you want to) and in your church (if you want to.)
Please keep your God or Gods OFF of my LAWS; and OUT of my constitution.
We were the ONE nation founded on the SEPARATION of church and STATE.
The church, true to form, has survived, largely unscathed.
The STATE, however, needs some serious revamping and defense. Spit, shine and Sparkle. This is the country that is a safe haven (or should be) for any and all individuals who believe in No God, One God, or Many Gods. It is one of our founding idealisms. NO church (not any church--not any faith--) should step in, step on, or step over the consititution.
Obama, 08.
Wilka
Lovely to have you back. Thank you for this article. It is very close to my heart.
It is a very necessary conversation to have right now. Especially now.
Blessings on you and yours.
Wilka
And I know that you have been otherwise occupied, but if you get a chance, watch/rent that John Adams series that HBO did. Stellar!
For one reason: I have not had to give much input; instead, I have benefitted from the wealth of responses from the Gather community. These responses are nothing short of brilliant, but I am getting ahead of myself. I'll save that for later. . . .
I do so hope that you continue the dialogue. This is fascinating, absolutely fascinating, and I promise to stay OUT OF THE WAY. It is working better like this. I just have one question:
Ness brought up an interesting observation, and I quote:
" I can see by the passion of the postings that it means so much to you all."
Excellent observation, Ness! But, which one of the comments, opinions, and/or observations above is NOT also excellent? They ALL appear to be! They all ARE!
The word, "passion", though. I am wondering if anyone else observed "passion" in the writing, in the Preamble, or anywhere in the Constitution?
"Gather" is a community of writers, so if there would be anywhere in the whole of the Internet or any site where one might pick up on this "passion", it would surely be here!
Does anyone wish to speak to it?
Thank you, and forgive me for butting in again, but I must say this is quite a highly intellectual, energetic, and very thoughtful discourse.
My, my, my, but this is such a pleasure!
Please, more! More! and even MORE!
Oh beautiful for spacious sky's
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesty
Above the fruited plain
Then I stopped and the following words we sung as they gave pause for thought and reflection
America, America, God shed is grace on thee.
What came to mind was how in such a short period in history has this country been so blessed with so much bounty and rise to power. And, looking at our history I asked what was it that God wanted in return to keep his grace? Then the following words were sung
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shinning sea.
Made me think that perhaps the one who blessed this great nation slipped in a performance clause for this nation and its people. After Sept. 11th, 2001 I saw intolerance raise its ugly head and spread from sea to shinning sea. Not for all, but for all too many. We responded out of anger and fear which is understandable, but never acceptable. It was like taking a step back in time to a time to a place where people were judged on the color of their skin, birthplace, or faith. This nation has so much promise, so much hope to offer the people of this planet. But not if the example we set ignores the richness of diversity that made this nation great. We should never forget this kind of thinking has over and over again destroyed nations. Germany in WW2 is a good example of how intolerance and irrational blame can destroy a nation.
Recently in Katy TX. the response to the proposed building of a Mosque, a house of God made me realize that our future, our legacy is not assured if we do not remember the reasons so many came to these shores and built a great land. Its not to late to return to the values that made America great. But, its not a government that can accomplish this. It is only though the never ending efforts of We the People.
I am glad Senator Obama knows it inside and out.
Thank you.
You Quoted "We the People in order to form a more perfect union" in your e-mail. Did you forget "of the United States" as most of our politicians have done?
I take special note to "We the People of the United States" because it does not say "We the People of any Country that wants to Sneak into our country illegally" It is time the politicians remembered the Constitution.
Unfortunately there is ONLY ONE who stands for that document and he his RON PAUL.
It is definately not any of the three OWNED pupets that are called the "Front Runners".
Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I am a very purposeful person, so that your participation here has not been for nought; I hope you find my purpose as exciting and provocative as do I. Be on the lookout for my next article. I'll email you about it as well, so be on the lookout for that, too.
Have a good day, evening, and/or night, whichever is the case in whatever your share of this marvelous world. For me, it is night, so I shall say a sweet and peaceful parting good night to you all!
Thank you again!
I have so missed you, my Dearest, but I feel that I miss as much the delightful raccoon that so many of us have become so fond of. Shall we ever see that cleverest of all creatures again?
:=[
loveleigh
I am sooo glad that you have communicated your very excellent thoughts with us, and just in time. More later, but sooner than later. You'll see. . . .
"I" means me
"Us" means We
I had a teacher in grade school that would not allow us to go out to recess until we recited the constitution,,,everyday. So being taught it by someone who truly believed in it, helped me to not only understand it,,but except it as a way of life for We the People.
Now when are we going to start governing ourselves accordingly is what I wonder.
Lady N: Thanks for the article
Just as nothing man can do will destroy this planet, no outside threat can destroy this blessed document and it's message.
I read some of the comments, will have to get back later to the rest, hopefully. I agree with many, especially Rory's from Canada ... I cannot believe Keith Kalish could believe in the words of Paine and defend GWB ...
I hope to read more later ... I do believe that all of the words and actions in the formation of this nation were spiritually inspired and NOT religiously inspired.
The Constitution was a work in progress that has since matured. It's biggest threat has come from a Neocon Administration that neither supports or understands the document.
As a soldier, I swore to defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic and my allegiance was to this country, not any elected officials.
Good article.
Over my long life I've read it and about the men who wrote it. They did the best they could to write something that would be different from what the rest of the world had going for it at the time. It is still different from every other in this world of ours and still holds up. It may not be perfect but then neither are we...I'll stand by it and defend it as long as I can breathe.
:O)
Bruce.