The United States Constitution. (ARCHIVES.GOV)
On September 17, 2015 our United States Constitution will reach the remarkable milestone of 228 years of incessant posterity. Happy Anniversary to our ingenious founders’ masterpiece and America’s most amazing blessing.
Our nation is the genius of this humane and common sensed document, a social contract dedicated to the principles that all humans are created equal, that “free will” flourishes via protected freedoms and liberties, that our government and nation are bound, eternally, to the people, by the people and for the people, where justice and tranquility reign, and our Union as a people, is historically consecrated.
This brilliant and concise social contract changed the landscapes for freedom like no other in history. With this Constitution’s incredible opening sentence, its declaration of sovereignty, giving “we the people” ownership and supreme legal authority of this wealthy, powerful and boundless nation, is unadulterated genius.
Like the air that we breathe, few of us pay appropriate reverence to the Constitution’s vital significance to our lives.
As wonderful as it is to own a home, land or even a car, how amazing is it to have part ownership of a nation, especially one as great as America? This ownership entitles us to glorious, life-altering freedoms that allow us “free will” and to live an unfettered life.
These self-evident truths of the American way of life make our Constitution as relevant today as the day this contract was officially ratified and established in 1789. How blessed are we to be endowed with inalienable rights and entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
Yet, it would be disingenuous to discuss this incredible contract without acknowledging the dismissal and lack of appreciation of it by some of its sovereigns. This truth is a sad commentary not of our remarkable Constitution or our brilliant founding fathers, but for the shameful comfort zone of many Americans. Sadly, most Americans have never read this amazing document or understand what the preamble is, where it is and what it says or doesn’t say.
Thomas Paine wrote: "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value."
Like the air that we breathe, few of us pay appropriate reverence to the Constitution’s vital significance to our lives. So too is it true of our sacred Constitution and all the rights, liberties, protections and structures thereof, that “we the people” take for granted. Most of us today are far removed from the blood red in our flag, which reminds us forever of the loss of life and the incredible sacrifice made in the name of American freedom.
Through it all, “we the people” must never forget whenever we hear “God bless America,” for what is really meant by that sentiment is, “God bless our Constitution.”
It is certain, America and Americans would be completely different without our sacred constitutional contract. That is why our upcoming presidential elections are so important. Our president takes a sworn oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Our priceless Constitution must be preserved, protected and defended regardless of peril by our president. For “we the people” are entrusting him/her with our rights, our freedoms, our amazing way of life and the posterity of our people. Likewise, our president endures the heavy burden of retaining sacrosanct the beacon these freedoms and liberties represent to all human kind on planet Earth.
So happy 228th anniversary to our Constitution and thank God that “we the people” are blessed and privileged to own it.
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