Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Today Is Constitution Day

B-Daddy here.

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.

Pretty inspiring stuff. The document at right has stood the test of time for over 200 years. It is the oldest national constitution in force today. It embodies the principle that government derives it's powers from the consent of the governed. It embodies the principle that no single person or group can really be trusted, so it sets up three branches to keep an eye on each other. It embodies the principle that the people have rights which may not be infringed, even if unpopular. It embodies the principle that all men are created equal in the eyes of the law and of God.

On July 6, 1976, I swore a sacred oath, not to a man, not to a party, not to a religion, and not even to the nation itself. I swore an oath to the Constitution of the United States, because loyalty to its tenets are what binds our nation together. Our nation lacks the long history, ethnic homogeneity or small size that might serve to bring us unity. It is the principles of the Constitution that do so, we trivialize them at our peril.

1 comment:

Dean said...

B-Daddy, Thanks for that! I'll freely admit, I had no idea Sept. 17 was "Constitution Day".

I see on my calendar today is "Citizenship Day".

As one swears an oath to the Constitution when one becomes a citizen, I'm figuring the two designations are for the same purpose and objective.

No matter. This day will be recognized as such at BwD from here on out.