The Preamble to the United States Constitution begins with: “We the people.” Let’s consider the meaning of what is being stated in this opening paragraph.
“We.” That, is you and I. Part of a much larger group of common ordinary folks, recognized as the “people” with a purpose to achieve a specific goal. What is that goal? To be united. Why is there a desire to be united? To be “more perfect”.
Regarding these two words, “more perfect;” Mankind, regardless of station in life, is not perfect. Only Jesus Christ was and is perfect. But nonetheless, the desire to reach this goal is still worthy of the attempt. What aspirations are listed in the attempt to be “more perfect? 1) To “establish justice.” This is honest, fair and equal treatment towards all persons. 2) To “insure domestic Tranquility.” This provides for a person or family to be safe and secure in their own home and neighborhood. 3) To “provide for the common defense.” When “the people” are threaten by external forces from other people groups/countries, the “Union” acts as one for the defense of all. 4) To “promote the general Welfare.” This includes, but not limited to, economic success, sustainable life resources, and quality of living standards. 5) To “secure the Blessings of Liberty.” This is you and I making our own decisions in life. It does not mean that a person may infringe on another person’s life.
What steps do “We the people” take to accomplish these aspirations listed as the main goal, which is to form a more perfect Union? “We the people do ordain (which means to put in order) and establish (create) this Constitution for the United States of America.”
So, folks, nowhere in the history of mankind, has a document written by men, had as great an impact and influence over a group referred to as, “We the people.” Some may offer the Ten Commandments. Nope, they were written by God Almighty. The Constitution is the written attempt, outlining a process by which ‘We’ can try to achieve a more perfect union.
Consider if you will, the real threat to this great Constitutional Republic. It is not the Trump administration. He was elected by “We the people.” His opponent as a candidate, was appointed without a single primary vote. Additional threats are: The governor of Maryland pardoning over 175,000 criminals at one time. The mayor of Los Angeles disobeying federal law. The governor of New York disobeying federal law. The governor of Illinois disobeying federal law. The governor of California disobeying federal law.
If the federal law is so bad/wrong then Congress should change the law. But, until that happens, this Constitution of the United States takes precedence. From 1861 to 1865 a war was waged within this country to confirm and preserve this Union because 11 states decided federal law was not supreme. Regardless of your personal affiliation the Union was saved.
Trump has often been compared to Adolf Hitler. Do people under the age of 30 even know who Hitler was? I doubt it. Hitler organized and controlled the terrorist group known as the “Brown shirts.” He organized this group in 1929. This group was violent and destructive in their hatred of Jews. Trump has not organized or controlled any group other than what the US Constitution allows him, as President, to control.
Hitler’s minister of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, controlled all news sources. Trump does not control todays main stream media. He challenges them, but does not control them. Freedom of the press has no restrictions. They may print or say whatever they want, even if it’s fact or fiction.
The practice of Gerrymandering is the manipulation of an electoral constituency’s boundaries so as to favor one party or class. The practice dates as far back as 1812 in the state of Massachusetts by the governor at the time. The purpose of which is to maximize the effect of supporters’ votes and minimize the effect of opponents’ votes. This explains why some members of congress have been elected to office regardless of their qualifications.
The American “people” overwhelmingly voted for Trump. He is not a threat to democracy. The real threat… is an uninformed public.
Walter Allen is a graduate of TCHS and Auburn University. He is retired from the paper industry and is a published author. A former president of the Laurens County Museum Assoc. in Laurens, SC. He lives in Tuscaloosa County, AL.
