America's Constitution - Something to be Thankful For

Have you ever stopped to think about the gift of America? Have you ever wondered how your life would be different if you did not live in America? Maybe you should.

Think about it. Think about America today; its challenges and shortcomings, its opportunities and privileges, its history and influence. Throughout America’s 245 year history, foreign military powers challenged our right to exist, brother fought against brother in a great civil war, and today anonymous foreign agents present ever-increasing threats to our cybersecurity, infrastructure, and intellectual property. Every day we learn of new risks to our personal and national security.

The strength of America's Constitution

Within America itself, our citizens, our institutions, and our government are under assault for a wide range of slights real and imagined. The social mores of centuries past are convicted upon the altar of today’s political correctness and decisions made to save American lives during years long wars are now naively judged against an altruistic standard that denies the reality of those years. The great experiment that is America was founded and firmly enshrined in the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution has stood the test of time, conflict, and challenge. As we approach Thanksgiving Day, let’s consider one of our Founding Fathers’ greatest gifts.

When we encounter the Constitution today it is usually in the courts, during news reports, or in heated conversations and, typically, it is related to one of the Amendments of the Constitution, not the original Articles. Why do we rarely discuss the Articles of the Constitution? From my perspective the genius written in those seven articles describing the structure and operation of many aspects of our government is as valid today as when it was ratified on June 21, 1788.

The bedrock of American values

The preamble to the Constitution announced the purpose and vision of the words to follow. You know the words . . . “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.” When read with an understanding of history, the Preamble is prayer-like, an appeal to heaven.

The Constitution (prior to the first amendments) established the three co-equal branches of government and describes in succinct clarity their authorities. It defines the role, responsibilities, and qualifications of those elected, nominated, or appointed to serve the nation. Reading the seven Articles provides a clear synopsis of the structure of America’s government and underscores that it is a representative form of government.

The seven Articles of the Constitution provide for no earthly king or petty tyrant, no secret police or military junta, nor mob justice or surveillance state. It does balance responsibilities so no one branch of government can usurp the authorities of another. In some assignments it is very specific and in others provides broad latitude to accommodate changes wrought by time, culture, and our global society.

If you take issue with the machinations of our government, its quaint procedures, or its strictures, look to the Constitution. You are concerned about the Electoral College? Look to the Constitution? You don’t believe the President should pardon a duly convicted criminal? Look to the Constitution.

But at the same time, look to the Constitution for the protections and guarantees we take for granted every day. For example, the Writ of Habeas Corpus (Art. 1, §9), the right to a trial by jury (Art. III, §1), and the guarantee to each state a republican form of government (Art. IV, §4). Those provisions may not receive much attention, but they are essential to our personal security and way of life.

Built for the challenges of our time

The Constitution, ratified in 1788, serves as the framework for our government. It provided a new nation the ways and means to function and govern. It was the agreement of a diverse people to subject themselves to this new form of government. As inspired and ambitious as the Constitution was at the time of ratification, it was not perfect. There were those in the political parties of the day looking to embrace the precepts found in the English Magna Carta and Petition of Rights, as well as Virginia’s Declaration of Rights as a means to further protect the people.

When offered for consideration and ratification by the states, there were 12 proposed Amendments to the Constitution. Ten were ratified in 1791 and are known as the Bill of Rights. Since 1789 more than 11,770 amendments have been proposed, yet only 27 are now ratified. Those first ten amendments are what sets America apart from other nations and provides all Americans the opportunity and security to pursue their talents, their opportunities, and their dreams.

The promise that is America

The first ten Amendments to the Constitution assured America the “unalienable rights” of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” found in the Declaration of Independence would not be impaired by an overreaching government. Americans’ right to freedom of religion, free speech, freedom of the press, and the right to peaceably assemble are found in the First Amendment. The right to keep and bear arms, prohibitions against unreasonable searches and seizures, the protections from double-jeopardy and self-incrimination, the right to a speedy trial, the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, and requirements for the due process of law are all found in the Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments are concise and to the point. In many ways, the Bill of Rights protects the governed and constrains the government. The Constitution and its first ten amendments set America on a path to fulfill its promise.

Over the years, other amendments refined and strengthened the American dream. In the year 1865, the 13th Amendment outlawed slavery and involuntary servitude and the 15th Amendment afforded the right to vote to citizens regardless of their race, color or previous condition of servitude. But it was not until 1920, when the 19th Amendment was ratified that women were allowed to vote. Term limits for the President of the United States appeared in 1951 with the ratification of the 22nd Amendment. Twenty years later voting rights were extended to those 18 years of age or older by the 26th Amendment. So, as you can see, America’s Constitution evolved with the nation itself.

Many believe America is a nation founded on a good idea. The Constitution captures and provides for the idea that is America. The Constitution protects you and me from the vagaries and harms of a government without boundaries. Other nations across the globe look to America to live up to its ideals and aspirations and to stand as a shining example of those qualities and attributes found in our Constitution.

A citizen's gratitude

Yes, Americans are indeed fortunate. Throughout our history, untold thousands of men and women gave their lives to provide for this wonderful life we call the American Dream. In years past, our Founding Father pledged "our Live, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor" to provide their families a life of freedom not found anywhere in the world. It is a life we enjoy today. It is a life that allows us to sleep securely at night and affords us an opportunity to pursue our dreams.

The Constitution of the United States embraces all that is good and necessary for a free people. The Amendments to the Constitution demonstrate that we learn from our history and correct the course of our nation. As we approach Thanksgiving Day, take a moment and consider our Constitution, its brevity, and its significance on our lives. It rights, privileges, and protections are found nowhere else. And that, my friends, is something truly worthy of our gratitude.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day holiday with family, friends, and loved ones. Safe travels.