Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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."
As some of you might, and many of you probably do not know, tomorrow is Constitution Day here in the States. On September 17, 1787, the final draft of the U.S. Constitution was signed.
I have always been 'a thinker' (or a Snob, I guess, depending on how you look at it.
). I believe in learning all that I can from all that I can. The Constitution is exemplary of this belief. The ideologies presented in it are derived from the ideas of many different people from John Locke and Charles Montesquieu and Benjamin Franklin and James Madison and many others. Although the creation of it took much conversation and modification, The Founding Fathers came together to publish one of the greatest documents in the history of the world. They created a government that left power in the hands of the people, allowing us to elect those we think will best make decisions on our behalf. Many thought our government would not last, for we were too independent, but alas, here we still are today. Not to mention how this document affected the successful growth of societies around the world.
As the next 48 days roll on, we will undoubtedly hear about this candidate and that one and about Lipstick and Celebrity statuses. And of course, on November 4 we will take advantage of a gift the Constitution gives us.
Not many have truly read the document in its entirety, but have heard "sound bites" of it here and there. If you have the time, even just a minute or two, I urge you all to take a look at it.
The United States Constitution
Maybe we could get a bit of a conversation going? Thoughts or comments on the entire thing or particular passages welcome.
PS: You all want to know what a geek I am? I have two copies that I carry with me in my backpack and purse.
As some of you might, and many of you probably do not know, tomorrow is Constitution Day here in the States. On September 17, 1787, the final draft of the U.S. Constitution was signed.
I have always been 'a thinker' (or a Snob, I guess, depending on how you look at it.
). I believe in learning all that I can from all that I can. The Constitution is exemplary of this belief. The ideologies presented in it are derived from the ideas of many different people from John Locke and Charles Montesquieu and Benjamin Franklin and James Madison and many others. Although the creation of it took much conversation and modification, The Founding Fathers came together to publish one of the greatest documents in the history of the world. They created a government that left power in the hands of the people, allowing us to elect those we think will best make decisions on our behalf. Many thought our government would not last, for we were too independent, but alas, here we still are today. Not to mention how this document affected the successful growth of societies around the world.As the next 48 days roll on, we will undoubtedly hear about this candidate and that one and about Lipstick and Celebrity statuses. And of course, on November 4 we will take advantage of a gift the Constitution gives us.
Not many have truly read the document in its entirety, but have heard "sound bites" of it here and there. If you have the time, even just a minute or two, I urge you all to take a look at it.
The United States Constitution
Maybe we could get a bit of a conversation going? Thoughts or comments on the entire thing or particular passages welcome.
PS: You all want to know what a geek I am? I have two copies that I carry with me in my backpack and purse.
Comments
Page
1
« prev
|
next »
Posted Sep 17, 2008 9:47 am PT
Oh, if only you were in my government class. Current events discussion on Thursdays, want to come?
All those who choose not to vote have no right to complain during the next four years.
All those who choose not to vote have no right to complain during the next four years.
Posted Sep 17, 2008 10:40 am PT
Boy it's been a long time since you wrote a blog! Good to hear that you're doing well.
This is a great subject. I'm Canadian, but I know a fair bit about the U.S. Constitution. I don't carry it around with me
, but I have a printed copy of it on my bookshelf.
I think it truly is the greatest political document out there and the experiment of the republican form of government in America has been a wonderful blessing to the entire family of earth.
We're in an election cycle too. Our federal election is on October 14th.
And, I agree, everyone who chooses not to vote has no right to complain!
This is a great subject. I'm Canadian, but I know a fair bit about the U.S. Constitution. I don't carry it around with me
, but I have a printed copy of it on my bookshelf.I think it truly is the greatest political document out there and the experiment of the republican form of government in America has been a wonderful blessing to the entire family of earth.
We're in an election cycle too. Our federal election is on October 14th.
And, I agree, everyone who chooses not to vote has no right to complain!
Posted Sep 17, 2008 11:44 am PT
Rochelle: Thanks! I thought I might provide access to it in hopes some will take a peek at it.
Posted Sep 17, 2008 11:50 am PT
Finn: Absolutely! Tell me when and where, and I'll be there. I guess I will be in spirit, eh? I agree-that's something I am not looking forward to after the election. I will be voting for the first time, but I remember how sick I was of hearing people complain in the 2004 election. Of course, I didn't get to vote, but I remember having to tell people how much I wished I could have.
I guess I will be in spirit, eh? I agree-that's something I am not looking forward to after the election. I will be voting for the first time, but I remember how sick I was of hearing people complain in the 2004 election. Of course, I didn't get to vote, but I remember having to tell people how much I wished I could have.
Posted Sep 17, 2008 11:54 am PT
Karl: Great! That's very cool of you that you have a printed copy. Again, do you know how many Americans, even, that don't have a copy? Lots. Gosh, I wish that our election day was the same as yours. I love politics, but I'm ready for this season to be over.
Posted Sep 17, 2008 11:57 am PT
No kidding, huh? We don't have fixed election dates up here, so it's up to the party in power to call and election but, by law, they cannot wait more than five years. Our current setup has a minority government in power an they are looking to consolidate their power and get a majority.
I have been told that the American system is better than the Canadian one because "you guys let your government tell you when to vote." There is some truth to that, but the other side is that our election was called on September 7. A six week campaign and we're done.
I have been told that the American system is better than the Canadian one because "you guys let your government tell you when to vote." There is some truth to that, but the other side is that our election was called on September 7. A six week campaign and we're done.
Posted Sep 17, 2008 1:59 pm PT
I guess we need more time than that to really get to know the candidates, but I think we've passed that point. I took a minute to Wiki the Canadian government-interesting! I always like learning about governments around the world.
I took a minute to Wiki the Canadian government-interesting! I always like learning about governments around the world.
Posted Sep 17, 2008 2:11 pm PT
Sorry to pop up unexpected in your blog comments. I'm organizing a protest to get the attention of CBS (new owners of tv.com) to show our dissatisfaction with the new format AND the way they launched it (without much input from us, the people who did all the work to make tv.com and the show guides what it is). We are also unhappy with how slow they have been to change the things that bother us. Please consider taking a minute to visit my last 2 blogs and please consider supporting us. Thank you very much!
Posted Sep 25, 2008 3:48 am PT
Hey CrazyDayz, really appreciate you dropping by my blog and offering support. I have put the new avi that tjaman has made to call attention to our participation up now. If you are interested, you should do the same. This will increase the chatter about Sept. 30 Blackout Day and maybe increase the number of people participating. Think about it, your avi is seen in every blog comment and forum post you make, people who start seeing so many of us using it just might wonder why. Just a suggestion, the avi can be found at: http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd330/tjaman/tvdark.jpg
Posted Sep 25, 2008 1:14 pm PT
Page
1
« prev
|
next »
Friends
My Friends
OpalRisa