A More Perfect Union

Brace yourself. This is gonna be kind of deep.

I think we should celebrate September 17th rather than July 4th. See, July 4th is the day the Declaration of Independence was signed, but September 17th is the day the US Constitution was signed. If the Declaration established the United States, the Constitution defined it.

From the Preamble:

"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."

We make declarations all the time. We announce, expound, exclaim, shout, bellow, and hold forth on a regular basis. But it's what we do about what we say that matters. It's what we go on to do, enact, create, and compose (or constitute) that matters.

You'll notice the Constitution indicates that part of our purpose is the establishment of a "more perfect union."  That's tough to do with so many different peoples, interests, and values in the mix, and yet those who created this nation seemed to believe it could be achieved, choosing "E Pluribus Unum" - "One Out of Many" for the new nation's motto.

It's sad, though, that declaration has taken the place of genuine discussion these days - shouting down those who disagree, belittling differing opinions, and refusing to compromise. It's tough to build "one out of many" when we drag out emotionally-charged labels and demonize our  opponents. We see far more "Divide and Conquer" than "E Pluribus Unum" these days.

But doesn't each of us have the right to share our point of view? Isn't this just the first amendment in action? The loudest voice is loudest because it represents the majority, and the majority rules, right?

Look closer.

"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"

According to our national goal statement, this isn't about me and my freedom or you and yours - or rather, it's not JUST about those things.

We're in this for each other.

We're here to establish justice for everyone, regardless of their background, income, status, race, or anything else. We're here to maintain the domestic peace of this realm so we can focus our energies on improving and advancing together, not tearing ourselves asunder with hidden agendas and verbal venom. We're here to promote the well-being of each American, to create a culture of opportunity combined with humanity. We're here to ensure the liberty of every citizen, even those not yet born.

Sounds pretty civic-minded, doesn't it? That's because it is. The Constitution is more than a set of rules for selecting leaders or balancing powers. It's a promise that we make to each other as citizens. If the Declaration defines our liberties as individuals, the Constitution affirms our commitment to each other, creating one out of many.

It's a noble undertaking, one that calls on the better angels of our nature, certainly better than the ones we show in public discourse these days.

We deserve better. We can do better.