“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,” (Preamble to the United States Constitution).
“We the People,” by God’s providence, formed the Constitution of the United States of America. It was a “Model of Liberty.” Its laws favored no people and insured peace and protection for its citizens. It promoted prosperity and every liberty imaginable to a free nation.
America became the greatest nation on earth. “We the People” were united by freedom’s cause. There were no bounds of opportunity in this free society. “We the People” dreamed big dreams, and Yankee ingenuity yielded monetary rewards. “We the People” spoke freely, worshipped freely, and taught their children the benefits of living in a republic, where all were represented equally. “We the People” generously helped other nations. America enjoyed the “Blessings of Liberty.”
“We the People” tired from the responsibilities that come with Liberty and allowed “We the Government” to take our place. It was fine at first. After all, “We the Government” did a good job of writing laws and defending the nation. “We the Government” assumed the role of overseeing “Education” and “Social Services.”
“We the People” thought that was a good idea. Now “We the People” could spend more time keeping up with the Joneses and not worry about keeping up with “Issues” and “Moral Obligations.”
Because they had become enlightened, “Education” and “Social Services” wanted to play larger roles in “We the Government.” They wanted “We the People” to conform to their ideologies. “We the Government” agreed and gave “Education” and “Social Services” full reign to indoctrinate “We the People.”
Then “Lobbyist” and “Business” began to influence “We the Government.” They offered perks to “We the Government” leaders and workers. As a result, “Lobbyist” and “Business” grew wealthy. “We the People” thought this was fine because many of the perks given to “We the Government” by “Business” were also given to “We the People.”
“We the Government” noticed some of “We the People” did not adhere to the “Secular Philosophy.” Because “We the Government” was all things to all people, “We the Government” decided to oversee “We the People’s” activity. “We the Government” enacted laws banning “We the People” from placing controversial symbols in public places. “We the Government” also prohibited “We the People” from exercising the freedoms of religion and speech, and forced “Secular Philosophy” on churches, businesses, public schools, and sports teams. After all, “Secular Philosophy” required all people to be sensitive and tolerant towards one another. Anyone that acted otherwise must be silenced and punished.
“Lobbyist,” “Business,” “Education” and “Secular Philosophy” grew tired of “We the People.” They and “We the Government” believed “We the World” would be a better partner. After all, some of “We the People” still stood for the Constitution that “We the People” had formed. Unfortunately for “We the People,” the Constitution no longer resembled the original document. While “We the People” were enjoying the “Blessings of Liberty,” “We the Government” and “We the World” had enacted laws that replaced the rights on which “We the People” stood.
Will the fate of America ultimately be determined by “We the Government,” and/or “We the World”? It is up to “We the People” to ensure that “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address).
Deborah Leininger serves as Area Director for Northwest Illinois.