July 4th, A time to recommit to the principles of freedom

Celebrating Freedom

This year we celebrate 233 years of freedom. We also celebrate 222 years of union. Late in 1787, in a flash of inspired genius, 55 men put aside their petty differences and forged the great balancing act we know as the United States Constitution. Get out your barbecue, head to the fireworks, but don't let July 4th pass without having pondered our founding documents.

Have you read the Declaration or the Constitution lately? Just as importantly, have you read any biographies of the founding fathers? The founding of the the longest lived constitutional republic is no small matter. I have always felt that balance is the key to most human endeavors. The Constitution of United States has it! Everywhere you turn, there is a check against those with authority. Not only are the three branches of federal government played off one another, but the entire federal government is checked by both the States and the people. (And the people are checked by the Constitution and by their chosen statesmen.)

If I were to sum up the U.S. constitution in one sentence, I'd say this:
It's all about providing freedom from abuse by those in authority.

Context for the Constitution is also important. It matters what the framers intended and it matters to understand the milieu in which their discourse took place. Thus, a study of history and of important works such as Common Sense and the Federalist Papers is also in order.

Here is an example of how context helps us understand the founding principles. While the Constitution pays homage to "We the People" it also puts a check against them. In fact, it is a great fallacy to believe our country to be a democracy. James Madison says in Federalist 10 "Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found
incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths...A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect, and promises the cure for which we are seeking."

Another phrase in the Preamble that has lead to much abuse in federal government is the "promote the general welfare" clause. Of this Madison had this to say: "Nothing is more natural nor common than first to use a general phrase ( like common welfare) and then to explain it and qualify it by a recital of particulars." (Federalist #41) Thus, that clause means nothing on it's own! It's meaning is elaborated by the details of enumerated powers later on. Jefferson also concurred: "Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."(1817 letter to Albert Gallatin).

Let not another Independence Day pass without recommitting ourselves to the civic duty of understanding good government. I have assembled here some essential resources.

1. The Constitution of the United States
2. The Declaration of Independence
3. The National Center for Constitutional Studies
4. The 5000 Year Leap
5. My own MP3 collection of the Federalist Papers

Happy July 4th!