September 17th
is Constitution Day. Did you know that? For most people, the anniversary of
this document that changed the world forever passes unnoticed. Why is it
important? Does it really matter in our modern world? Is it still relevant?
You can read
the whole document in 20 minutes or less. You can understand it pretty well
with maybe an hour of thought. This document has guided and shaped our nation
and influenced governments and people around the world. The principles it
reflects have guided great thinkers and philosophers for hundreds of years – it
simply put those principles into a framework that would create the most
powerful, prosperous and free people the world has ever seen.
The greatest
thinkers and statesmen we have ever seen have been unanimous in their praise
for this document. Daniel Webster said “I regard it as the work of the purest
patriots and wisest statesmen that ever existed, aided by the smiles of a
benignant (gracious) Providence…it almost appears a Divine interposition in our
behalf…” He also said “It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was
made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men
in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They
promise to be good master, but they mean to be masters.”
In this
short and clear document, basic concepts that allow good government and
discourage bad government and tyranny are laid down. Just a few of these
concepts allow us to see the brilliance and good will of those who crafted it.
One branch
of government, the legislative, is responsible exclusively for the creation of
law. The other two branches may not do this. Their duties include the
enforcement of law (executive branch) and interpretation of the law and
punishment of law breakers (the judicial).
The system
of checks and balances provided that no one branch could overwhelm or diminish
the power or effectiveness of the other two branches. They would be confined to
the responsibilities granted and if one began to usurp ungranted powers, either
of the other two could stop that usurpation.
Each state
will have a republican form of government (not the party – the system of
representation). They can make their own rules, as long as those rules do not
conflict with the Constitution. They must honor the contracts made in the other
states, even if their laws do not agree.
The
government can raise money through taxation, import and export duties or
tariffs and can print money, establish post offices and raise and support
armies and navies for the general defense. Funding for the military can only be
determined for up to two years at a time.
All elected
(and many appointed officials) as well as all military employees must affirm by
oath their support for and willingness to protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States. This is true even if they are serving on the local or
state level.
There are
many other great concepts presented, but the document lays out the foundation
of greatness for a nation and its people. Next time we will consider how it
protects our freedoms through the Bill of Rights.
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