Constitution Day

By: Les Carpenter III
Rational Nation USA


Today, September 17, 2010 marks the 233'rd year since the signing of the Constitution of the United States. The document that set a nation on a foundation which would ensure it remain free from governmental tyranny. A document that after ratification of the several states made us a nation governed by law rather than by a monarch, a dictator, or by theocracy. A document that allowed for the greatest individual liberty ever known to mankind.

This day passes us by every year without mention or recognition of its importance. At least for most of us. Not only does this day pass us by without notice it is likely the majority of the nation lacks a cursory understanding of the document that founded our Republic. Perhaps this is part of the reason why this nation is in the state it presently finds itself.

As I was thinking about the importance of this day I visited the Tenth Amendment Center. Sure enough, Founder Micheal Boldin has a great article on the subject which every American Patriot ought to read. As Mr. Boldin encourages the sharing of the information in his article Rational Nation USA is reproducing in part followed by the appropriate link to the full article.

There’s plenty of federal holidays for Americans to celebrate. On July 4th, there’s independence from King George’s England. On the first Monday in September, a holiday was dedicated to the “social and economic achievements of American workers.” Other days throughout the year celebrate autumn harvest, soldiers who died in the civil war and even a person who sailed to this continent nearly three centuries before the country was “founded.”

When there’s no federally-sanctioned holiday to call upon, protesters and activists across the political spectrum often pick “important” dates to schedule events to bring attention to their cause. We’ve seen protests on Tax Day, Independence Day, May Day, Earth Day, and more. And, in the past few weeks we saw great importance placed on days that doesn’t even have a letter in their name, 8/28 and 9/12.

But nowhere to be found on these great lists of “federal holidays” or “protest days” is a celebration of the document that defined the principles of liberty that this country was supposedly founded upon – the Constitution.

LIMITING POWER

The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and every year that date passes by with hardly a sound. Sure, now that it’s considered a day of “federal observance” you’ll find government schools around the country including it in their lesson plans. But these discussions generally focus on “Constitution Trivia” instead of what’s really important. While it may be good to educate our young on how many years a Senator serves, or how Supreme Court justices are appointed, it’s not enough. Seriously lacking in the public discourse is the actual purpose of the Constitution – its underlying principles.

When the Constitution was being considered for ratification, there was strong opposition from famous American figures that included George Mason and Patrick Henry. One major reason for this was a fear of too much power. The founding generation spent their lives toiling under a tyranny – a government without limits. But, when the Constitution was written, it was done to codify in law that the powers of government would be limited to those which had been delegated to it – and nothing more.

The entire system was created under the principle of popular sovereignty – that ‘We the People of the Several States’ created the government, and all powers not delegated to it, were retained. But that’s not something you’re likely to hear from politicians in Washington DC, political pundits, schools, or just about anywhere else. It’s generally not in their interest, either.

If politicians and their backers were promoting such crazy ideas as “originalism” and “limited government” they’d never be able to convince you that they have the power to tell you what kind of health care plan you’ll be getting, how big your toilet can be, what kind of plants you’re allowed to grow, where you’re allowed to exercise your “right” to free speech, whom you can buy and sell from, and even when you must send your children to die for them.

MORE OF THE SAME

Throughout history, even kings and queens have often failed to survive such acts of hubris; but, in “free” America, the major parties that produce all the presidents continue to receive approval through tens of millions of votes. And where has that gotten people?

Well, let’s take a look at some major issues.

* If you were opposed to war in the Bush administration, you’ve still got the same wars and threats of wars under Obama.
* If you were opposed to national health care under Clinton, you got a massive expansion of government health care under George Bush, which laid the groundwork for an even bigger expansion under Obama.
* If you didn’t like the federal government passing the Patriot Act without even reading it, you’re still getting the same (or worse) failure to read legislation today.
* On the other hand, if you liked the Bush bailouts, you’ve gotta love the ones that Obama has given you!

No matter what side of the political aisle you sit on, the federal government is not your friend. It’s not a friend to the Constitution, and it’s certainly no friend to your liberty. For years and years…and years, people have yelled “vote the bums out!” “Call Congress now!” “March on DC!” But, in the long run, little to none of this actually works.

If you oppose this national health care plan, they’ll give you that one. If you oppose one war, you’ll get another one. If you oppose today’s bailout, they’ll find a different one tomorrow. Decade in and decade out, the government keeps growing, and your liberty keeps shrinking. And it doesn’t matter if the person in charge is named Obama, or Bush, or Reagan, or Clinton.

The bottom line? Looking to the federal government – whether it’s though elections, or protests, or lawsuits, or rallies – is a failed strategy. So how about trying something new?
There is much more here. As well as here.

It is time the people of this nation revisit the principles on which the United States of America was founded. The principles that made us the freest nation on earth. Because we have forsaken those principals we are increasingly losing the liberties the Constitution was written preserve.

Visit this link to the guiding document so painstakingly drafted by our Founding Fathers in 1787. For the first ten amendments to the Constitution visit this link. Forsaking these principles for too long can only result in the U.S.A becoming a nation no longer set apart from other nations precisely because of its principles and liberties.

Cross posted to Left Coast Rebel

Via: Memeorandum