THE CONSTITUTION SERIES - PART I - THE INTRODUCTION
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."
The year is 1787. In May of that year some of the greatest minds the world has known gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss the revising of The Articles of Confederation that had been adopted as the rule of this new nation during the Revolution. The weakness of the Articles in depending on the collective will of the states caused a form of anarchy as states competed against one another in commerce and taxation bringing insurrection and chaos.
The result of this Constitutional Convention was signed and delivered to the people of The United States on September 17, 1787 and in June of 1788 The Constitution of The United States of America became the law of the land as New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify.
The United States Constitution is a document like no other. Many countries have followed its example, even nations under the rule of Despots who never intended to adhere to Constitutional laws. Their reason for copying ours is simply this. The form of government established by the will of the people affords a government where freedom and liberty are the rule of law. Despots use this example in an attempt to fool their people into believing they will be free. Democratic nations use our example because the Constitution created the most balanced and free nation governed by the rule of law that the world has ever known.
There are many misconceptions about our Constitution that have appeared through the years and the first of those is that we are a Constitutional Democracy. A Democracy is a form of government who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives. This is not who we are. That is what makes us unique in the world because we are the only Constitutional Republic on the face of the earth. A Republic is a nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote. This power is exercised by representatives elected, directly or indirectly, by them and responsible to them. Thus the phrase which begins our Constitution, "We the people, " is more than just poetic but an actuality in the description of the form of government that leads this nation.
This series is going to attempt to address the misconceptions that have developed especially in our most recent history concerning our Constitution. I am by no means a Constitutional scholar but my qualifications to discuss our founding document come from the right, yeah the duty that we all have as citizens. That duty and responsibility is to know and understand the principles in which our country was founded and the conscience that established this nation. All of this can be found in our Constitution.
The Constitution has been referred to as, "a living breathing document." In this I agree but not in the context that most use this phrase. The Constitution is, "living and breathing, " in that it is as viable, necessary and the principles found within are as important today as they were the day it was written. Most who use this phrase believe that , "living breathing document, " means the liberal interpretation of the Constitution as it pertains to modern society which has allowed such acts as Judicial Legislation. The Constitution and the principles found therein are unchangeable and liberal interpretation allows a weakening of the original intent of the Founders.
In their wisdom the Founders realized that as the nation grew and society changed that the Constitution would need to adapt. To this end they made provision and that provision is in the ability for the Constitution to be amended, not liberally interpreted. This amendment process was intentionally made ponderous and involving specifically to prevent changes in the Constitution that were unnecessary or fleeting with the winds of the moment. In an avoidance of this Constitutionally provided process the liberal interpretation has allowed for misconception and even a dumming down of the American populace who no longer know their Constitution and depend upon their elected officials to inform them of what the Constitution says and/or defines on current issues.
This provision has made many necessary changes in societal adaptation as we have grown as a nation. It has abolished slavery, allowed women to vote, established specific rights and many other needed changes. Some have been counter productive such as the 17th Amendment which changed the entrance to office of Senators. Prior to this Amendment Senators were appointed by State Legislatures thus making them accountable to their state and its people, who if dissatisfied with the Senators performance of their duties could replace them before the six year term expired. The 17th Amendment provided for direct election of Senators which in many respects eliminated accountability and has been a major cause of the unfettered growth of government as Senators cater to special interests groups and only concern themselves with their state as elections approach then throw pork barrel projects to the electorate to insure re-election.
Each Tuesday over the next several weeks this series will discuss many Constitutional issues that we face today. Issues such as, the separation of church and state, abortion, gun control, Judicial Legislating from the bench, the powers of the different branches just to name a few. This will not be an attempt to portray a specific point of view because the Constitution is truly non-partisan. But rather point out what the document actually states on each subject and the original intent of the Founders who established our Constitutional principles.
As in all Constitutional discussions we as citizens must always remember that in this Constitutional Republic that we are the true authority of our government. Man was not made for the state but the state was made for man and that is what our Constitution establishes. Everyone from the President to our local state representative are directly answerable to, "we the people, " and the dumming down of our nation in the true knowledge of our Constitution and what it actually says and stands for has allowed this nation to drift from a nation , "of the people and by the people, " to one whose elected officials inform the people and who are not truly accountable to the people! Knowledge is power and knowledge of the truth as found in our Constitution is what makes our nation strong and our people united in freedom.
Ken Taylor
The year is 1787. In May of that year some of the greatest minds the world has known gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss the revising of The Articles of Confederation that had been adopted as the rule of this new nation during the Revolution. The weakness of the Articles in depending on the collective will of the states caused a form of anarchy as states competed against one another in commerce and taxation bringing insurrection and chaos.
The result of this Constitutional Convention was signed and delivered to the people of The United States on September 17, 1787 and in June of 1788 The Constitution of The United States of America became the law of the land as New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify.
The United States Constitution is a document like no other. Many countries have followed its example, even nations under the rule of Despots who never intended to adhere to Constitutional laws. Their reason for copying ours is simply this. The form of government established by the will of the people affords a government where freedom and liberty are the rule of law. Despots use this example in an attempt to fool their people into believing they will be free. Democratic nations use our example because the Constitution created the most balanced and free nation governed by the rule of law that the world has ever known.
There are many misconceptions about our Constitution that have appeared through the years and the first of those is that we are a Constitutional Democracy. A Democracy is a form of government who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives. This is not who we are. That is what makes us unique in the world because we are the only Constitutional Republic on the face of the earth. A Republic is a nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote. This power is exercised by representatives elected, directly or indirectly, by them and responsible to them. Thus the phrase which begins our Constitution, "We the people, " is more than just poetic but an actuality in the description of the form of government that leads this nation.
This series is going to attempt to address the misconceptions that have developed especially in our most recent history concerning our Constitution. I am by no means a Constitutional scholar but my qualifications to discuss our founding document come from the right, yeah the duty that we all have as citizens. That duty and responsibility is to know and understand the principles in which our country was founded and the conscience that established this nation. All of this can be found in our Constitution.
The Constitution has been referred to as, "a living breathing document." In this I agree but not in the context that most use this phrase. The Constitution is, "living and breathing, " in that it is as viable, necessary and the principles found within are as important today as they were the day it was written. Most who use this phrase believe that , "living breathing document, " means the liberal interpretation of the Constitution as it pertains to modern society which has allowed such acts as Judicial Legislation. The Constitution and the principles found therein are unchangeable and liberal interpretation allows a weakening of the original intent of the Founders.
In their wisdom the Founders realized that as the nation grew and society changed that the Constitution would need to adapt. To this end they made provision and that provision is in the ability for the Constitution to be amended, not liberally interpreted. This amendment process was intentionally made ponderous and involving specifically to prevent changes in the Constitution that were unnecessary or fleeting with the winds of the moment. In an avoidance of this Constitutionally provided process the liberal interpretation has allowed for misconception and even a dumming down of the American populace who no longer know their Constitution and depend upon their elected officials to inform them of what the Constitution says and/or defines on current issues.
This provision has made many necessary changes in societal adaptation as we have grown as a nation. It has abolished slavery, allowed women to vote, established specific rights and many other needed changes. Some have been counter productive such as the 17th Amendment which changed the entrance to office of Senators. Prior to this Amendment Senators were appointed by State Legislatures thus making them accountable to their state and its people, who if dissatisfied with the Senators performance of their duties could replace them before the six year term expired. The 17th Amendment provided for direct election of Senators which in many respects eliminated accountability and has been a major cause of the unfettered growth of government as Senators cater to special interests groups and only concern themselves with their state as elections approach then throw pork barrel projects to the electorate to insure re-election.
Each Tuesday over the next several weeks this series will discuss many Constitutional issues that we face today. Issues such as, the separation of church and state, abortion, gun control, Judicial Legislating from the bench, the powers of the different branches just to name a few. This will not be an attempt to portray a specific point of view because the Constitution is truly non-partisan. But rather point out what the document actually states on each subject and the original intent of the Founders who established our Constitutional principles.
As in all Constitutional discussions we as citizens must always remember that in this Constitutional Republic that we are the true authority of our government. Man was not made for the state but the state was made for man and that is what our Constitution establishes. Everyone from the President to our local state representative are directly answerable to, "we the people, " and the dumming down of our nation in the true knowledge of our Constitution and what it actually says and stands for has allowed this nation to drift from a nation , "of the people and by the people, " to one whose elected officials inform the people and who are not truly accountable to the people! Knowledge is power and knowledge of the truth as found in our Constitution is what makes our nation strong and our people united in freedom.
Ken Taylor
posted by The Liberal Lie The Conservative Truth | 7:01 PM
24 Comments:
Come on people, let's do it in all the ways!!!
Let's make it new and for real this time,
google it: constitution of its citizens.
Here are the reasons:
The citizens of usa need the citizens of the world.
It is all global and as such must be resolved.
We must find new structure to be in.
This new one must be relevant to all the citizens of the world.
Ye, and the commercial forces are very strong, more then any other.
one of favorite units each year with my students, I look foward to adding my two cents. Actually a wooden nickel
I think that you hit on an important point:
This will not be an attempt to portray a specific point of view because the Constitution is truly non-partisan. But rather point out what the document actually states on each subject and the original intent of the Founders who established our Constitutional principles.
I have said time and time again that statesmanship is a thing of the past. Statesmanship meaning that leaders realize that the concept of our nation is larger than any one man or one desire. Leaders who realize that the Constitution must remain strong and consistent for society to continue to flourish. I once had a debate with my undergrad American Politics professor regarding the purpose of government. My position is that the purpose is the protection of the Constitution, not the changing of the Constitution to wave in the winds. The professor's opinion (at least for the purpose of the discussion, I don't know his true beliefs)was that the purpose of the government was to assure the perpetuation of the government.
Liberals have forgotten that the founders stood in awe of God and the liberty which we were given. They ignore the belief system of the day, and how the Constitution was written so well that we are able to address such things as advanced computer technologies and space travel and the like. However, the only way to do this is to remember the original intent and frame the government's responsibilities and authority within that context.
An excellent series here. I shall await anxiously the following postings.
Vern, First, we are a Republic and not a Demcoracy. As mentioned in the post Democracies are answerable to the people OR the elected officials. Democracies recieve authority from both the people and government itself. A Republic finds its only authority in the electorate and every elected official is directly and fully answerable to the people.
The electoral process is still viable. If not for this New York, California, Florida, and the other few populace states would have the only say in Presidential elections. Candidates would focus only on these states and the large population centers would be the only deciding factor of elections. The other 90% of the country would not matter in the election.
Anonymous, we are not run nor dictated to by the world. As a soverign nation we and we alone decide what is best for our country and the Constitution defines the laws and the means by which those decisions are made.
OBOB , your, "two cnets is very welcome!
Robert, the partisanship by liberal interpretation is one of the key factors that has caused the dumming down of America and the knowledge of the Constitution. That is some of what I plan to address in coming weeks. The Constitution in non-partisan and its principles are steadfast and the basis of our nation. Liberal interpretation, (and by liberal I do not refer to a political phiilosophy but a free style mode of defining), has caused many misconceptions as to waht the Constitution actually states and many Americans actually accept that there are statements and clauses that do not even exist in the document.
This series is a great idea, Ken! I commenmd you for it. As you can see, there are already people who don't see the Constitution as a binding document, but as something that can be changed by Judicial caveat to serve the purposes of a very vocal minority.
The Constitution has been misinterpreted and misrepresented by Liberals in the last few decades to justify their interest in forming a socialist state. That will ultimately fail, as we freedom loving people of the United States have God on our side.
All amendments to the Constuitution should be decided on by a consensus of our elected Representatives, in agreement with the citizenry, and properly, legally, voted upon.
Well dais Mark and so true which is why liberal interpretation has replaced the Amendment process institutied by the Founders.
Unfortunatly because of this our, "laws, " and the true letter of the law have a large gap because of the misrepresentation of what the Constitution actual states.
Exactly why Bush/Cheney's version of a unitarian presidency is total bs.
Bush isn't the decider, we are the deciders.
Good morning, Ken. This is going to be an interesting project, and your comment thread will probably be quite interesting too. The liberals are already coming out of the woodwork and you have barely gotten started!
It's an awesome project and I commend you for tackling it. I don't think I would want to, so many kudos to you! :)
Liberals have been out of the woodwork for a long time now, G-stalker.
"G-stalker!" ROTFALMAO! Mudkitty, I have never called you anything but "mudkitty" yet you feel it necessary to throw personal insults my way. It's so typical of the left to do that.
By the way, Happy Valentine's day. :)
Ken, per your request regarding a technical question, I sent you an e-mail. You'll find I have a new e-mail address so be sure to make changes. Happy Valentine's Day to you too!
As if you've never insulted me, G. As if. Could you be more disingenuous?
Oh, and by the way, our form of government is representational democracy.
I have insulted your rhetoric, Mudkitty. I have never called you names. I find your rhetoric reprehensible and your political viewpoint repugnant. You have no problem stating your opinion and I have no problem stating mine. You know you wouldn't get published. Ken is very nice to put up with you. He's much nicer than I am. I do attack you for what you say; I do not call you names, unless you regard the term "liberal" insulting. That was - and is - my point. I will deride you for what I find to be a twisted view of reality everytime I get the chance. If you go on conservative blogs to spew your opinion, I can do the same. If you can't take the heat, then get out of the kitchen. What I won't do is call you names and I would appreciate the same courtesy, although I doubt if I will get it.
PS: For your information as well as education, Mudkitty, our form of Government does rely on a representative democracy to a point, but it's far more complicated than that. We are actually a "Constitutional Republic". If you were taught differently then you were taught wrongly.
The definition of a Constitutional Republic (just so you know):
"A constitutional republic is a state where the head of state and other officials are elected as representatives of the people and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits the government's power over citizens. In a constitutional republic, executive, legislative, and judicial powers are separated into distinct branches and the will of the majority of the population is tempered by protections for minority rights so that no individual or group has absolute power. The fact that a constitution exists that limits the government's power, makes the state constitutional. That the head(s) of state and other officials are chosen by election, rather than inheriting their positions, and that their decisions are subject to judicial review makes a state republican." The source is Wikipedia, but I learned this in school. Why didn't you?
Ken, there was an error on the comment I left above the last one. I meant to say "You know you wouldn't get pubished on MRB." I think you are very nice to put up with Mudkitty. I wouldn't.
Mudd just wants the USA to be a Socialist Republic Gayle and anything less is unacceptabe to her
She is known around the blogosphere as a Pro-Terrorist Socialist
Interesting that you should call Kitty a "SOCIALIST"!!!!!
What CAN we expect next!!!? WHERE will it all LEAD!!! Will the morons come to rob me for being a Native American!!!! Will my liberal friends now be bitten just because they're lesbians!!!!? For crying OUT loud it's open season on Latinos!!!! Down with dishonesty and intolerance!!! As a FEMINIST baby seal, you UNDERSTAND I am screaming!!! The KLAN can engulf 33,804 OUTSPOKEN PARALYZED atheists in Michigan, all in the name of "liberty and justice for all"?
Kitty and I imagine, that MAKES it okay, then!! (I am being SARCASTIC!!?) The lying primate's War Against Medicaid must END now!!!! The Rechimplicans STOLE the so-called ELECTION by oppressing the African-AMERICAN voters in CALIFORNIA.
Can these people be helped, Kitty? I think NOT!!
ROTFALMAO! :)
A constitutional republic is a non monarchy, not a system of governance.
And Hellpig is not only pro-terrorist, he is a terrorist.
Excellent post Ken,
Liberally Interpreted Indeed!
What a project you have taken on here.
This will be a good read.
To rightwingers, any decision that you don't agree with is an activist decision.
So obvious.
Yes, Mudkitty, and "Hellpig is a terrorist!" ROTFALMAO! Your truly are funny, gal. You should go into stand-up comedy. :)
Been there, done that.
LOL! Mudkitty, I've given up arguing with you for Lent. Not just you, but with any liberals. It's rather like banging one's head against the wall.
Ken, thanks for that last comment you left over at MRB. I appreciate it. I believe you made two very good points that I hadn't given any thought to, so thanks again. :)
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