Opinion: Preamble to U.S. Constitution under threat by those who seek power over others
We talk a lot about the U.S. Constitution, but how much do we pay attention to what it says? The Constitution begins with “We the People of the United States…,” which means it is a statement made by all the people of the nation. How can that be? It can only be a statement made through representatives elected by the people. Rule by representatives elected by the people is an essential element in our democracy and any democracy. We cannot miss the importance of this principle of democracies and, therefore, the importance of honest elections to our country.
Attacking the integrity of elections is attacking the core of our democracy and supporting and participating in elections is participating in a basic activity of our nation.
Following the opening declaration is a list of goals for “ordaining and establishing the Constitution,” therefore they are basic goals for the nation. These goals are:
1. “To form a more perfect Union,” thus to constantly strive to improve the unity of the nation;
2. “Establish Justice,” thus to make sure that equality of treatment under the law is practiced;
3. “Insure domestic Tranquility,” thus to maintain peace and order within the nation;
4. “Provide for the common defense,” thus to maintain an adequate force to defend and protect our national interests;
5. “Promote the general Welfare,” thus make sure that all people of the nation are as healthy as possible and have adequate and equal opportunities to obtain a healthy and prosperous lifestyle;
6. “Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,” thus to make sure that everyone has freedom to maintain a healthy, secure and prosperous life and be able to pass on such a life to their descendants.
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Each of the six goals of the Constitution contain different aspects of national life with great meaning. I have already mentioned the importance of the fact that the adoption of the Constitution was the act of the whole people through elected representatives. This tells us we must always attend to having fair elections with everyone’s right to participate being maintained.
Regarding the six goals, because of their rich content, there should always be free debate about their fulfillment. Unity of the nation can always be improved and the best way of improving unity is through continually seeking justice in all government actions and overcoming injustice in the relations of the powerful with the less powerful and weak. This applies especially in the economic area since America’s capitalistic system can only operate justly if there is a certain amount of regulation and limitations placed on the wealthy and corporations.
Only when people feel that they are protected from unjust treatment can there be tranquility, as stated in the third goal. The fourth goal of providing a “common defense” is the most commonly agreed upon goal. At the same time, we cannot forget the fact that our leaders, both military and civilian, have at times misled the nation regarding military situations, for example, in Vietnam and in the Middle East. The free press is extremely important in assuring accuracy of information regarding military operations and expense.
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Probably the most unexpected goal of the Constitution, especially to those who are comfortable, is that “general welfare,” meaning the welfare of everyone, is a goal of the nation. We know from our history that our economy has suffered economic depressions causing great suffering. This has required legislation that some have opposed as free hand-outs for the poor. Obviously, they were not interested in promoting the general welfare, but only concerned in maintaining their own welfare through maximizing their wealth. Finally, the sixth goal of securing the “blessings of liberty to ourselves and posterity” has especially been neglected by those who have not recognized the unfair advantage some have through inherited wealth and have wealth to pass on to relatives and to others. Inherited wealth remains one of the greatest sources of injustice to those who do not have it and do not have the means or adequate means of acquiring this kind of wealth.
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The six goals of the Constitution and the democracy that produced it are continually under threat by those who seek power over others and seek to maintain their unfair advantages over others. Our overall national goal will always be to maintain “liberty and justice for all.” It is essential that we place liberty and justice for all at the center of our national concerns.
Rev. Robert L. Montgomery, Ph.D, lives in Black Mountain.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Constitution preamble under threat by those seeking power over others
