Is it time to toss our Constitution?
The Constitution of the United States of America has been referenced many times during the past couple months. Have you read it lately – or ever read it with understanding?
As it guides our community, state, national, and global interactions with laws of rights and responsibilities, each of us as citizens must be vigilant that it is upheld against threats to lessen its importance to our democracy.
Consider the “constitutions” of Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, or other nations. They are not democracies; some have “laws of governance” as an alternative to a constitution. These four nations have had major economic, political, and social interactions with our federal administration in the past three years. Is there something about their policies that is so attractive to our national interest? Why is there a strong administration focus to favor their association at the exclusion/limitation of negotiations with European, other Asian, and American nations.
Should the Constitution be taught to students today -- parts memorized and tested, so our youth (and adults) know about and question governmental actions and can challenge misguided, biased and deceptive policies? Should students learn about other nation’s constitutions, to better understand how ours works and how this affects our daily lives? Or, does knowing our Constitution well just create difficulties from the citizenry toward the power of officials in city, state, and national offices?
ADVERTISEMENT
I took an oath of allegiance to the Constitution and served in the U.S. Armed Services. It is only years later that I realized the many freedoms and opportunities I have that are not options to many of the world’s people.
I ask that you read the Constitution and reflect on how it is working for us in the 21st century.
Robert Morgan
Fort Ripley
