Weekly Opinion Editorial
DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION!READ IT!
by Steve Fair
The Constitution of the United States defines a framework for the country’s law and order. It is the supreme law enforcer of the United States. At 4,400 words it is the shortest and the oldest Constitution of any major government in the world. With it’s twenty-seven amendments the length is about 7,500 words. As evidence of its continued flexibility, the Constitution has only been changed seventeen times since 1791. The last amendment- the 27th- was originally proposed in September 1789 as an article in the original Bill of Rights. It was finally ratified after 74,003 days in May 1992. The 27th amendment deals with legislative salaries.
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The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution clearly defines the purpose of the founding document. The Constitution provides the framework for the organization of our federal government. It outlines the civil rights of the citizens in the U.S. It provides a sense of direction to the three branches of government by defining their responsibilities. It outlines the powers granted to the federal government.
The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution clearly defines the purpose of the founding document. The Constitution provides the framework for the organization of our federal government. It outlines the civil rights of the citizens in the U.S. It provides a sense of direction to the three branches of government by defining their responsibilities. It outlines the powers granted to the federal government.
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Patrick Henry said, "The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
Patrick Henry said, "The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
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Sadly, elected officials and citizens have ignored the Constitution for decades. According to an NPR survey last year, only twenty eight (28%) percent of Americans have ever read the U.S. Constitution, even though it takes less than a half an hour to complete the task. When the Republicans take control of the U.S. House on Thursday, they plan to read the entire document on the floor. Incoming Speaker of the House John Boehner says, “ We always hear members of Congress talking about swearing an oath to represent their constituents, when in reality the only oath we take is to the Constitution. We pledge 'to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.' No more, no less." This is an obvious nod to the Tea Party’s help in getting Republicans elected in November. According to the House Historian's Office, there is no record of the Constitution being read aloud on the House floor.
Sadly, elected officials and citizens have ignored the Constitution for decades. According to an NPR survey last year, only twenty eight (28%) percent of Americans have ever read the U.S. Constitution, even though it takes less than a half an hour to complete the task. When the Republicans take control of the U.S. House on Thursday, they plan to read the entire document on the floor. Incoming Speaker of the House John Boehner says, “ We always hear members of Congress talking about swearing an oath to represent their constituents, when in reality the only oath we take is to the Constitution. We pledge 'to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.' No more, no less." This is an obvious nod to the Tea Party’s help in getting Republicans elected in November. According to the House Historian's Office, there is no record of the Constitution being read aloud on the House floor.
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“I think it's entirely cosmetic," said Kevin Gutzman, a history professor at Western Connecticut State University and a conservative libertarian who sympathizes with the Tea Party. "This is the way the establishment handles grassroots movements. They humor people who are not expert or not fully cognizant. And then once they've humored them and those people go away, it's right back to business as usual.” Whether the Republicans in Congress follow-up by actually following the Constitution remains to be seen.
“I think it's entirely cosmetic," said Kevin Gutzman, a history professor at Western Connecticut State University and a conservative libertarian who sympathizes with the Tea Party. "This is the way the establishment handles grassroots movements. They humor people who are not expert or not fully cognizant. And then once they've humored them and those people go away, it's right back to business as usual.” Whether the Republicans in Congress follow-up by actually following the Constitution remains to be seen.
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Every January for the past six years, the Stephens County GOP has sponsored a Wallbuilders educational event. WallBuilders is an organization dedicated to presenting America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on the moral, religious, and constitutional foundation on which America was built.
Every January for the past six years, the Stephens County GOP has sponsored a Wallbuilders educational event. WallBuilders is an organization dedicated to presenting America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on the moral, religious, and constitutional foundation on which America was built.
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Our Wallbuilders event is not a GOP fundraiser or a partisan event. Concerned citizens, regardless of Party affiliation, have benefited by learning about our country’s true history. Last years event featured Wallbuilders founder David Barton, a frequent guest on the Glenn Beck TV program. David Barton and Rick Green host a daily radio program -Wallbuilders Live- that is broadcast weekdays on FM 88.7 in Duncan.
Our Wallbuilders event is not a GOP fundraiser or a partisan event. Concerned citizens, regardless of Party affiliation, have benefited by learning about our country’s true history. Last years event featured Wallbuilders founder David Barton, a frequent guest on the Glenn Beck TV program. David Barton and Rick Green host a daily radio program -Wallbuilders Live- that is broadcast weekdays on FM 88.7 in Duncan.
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On Friday the 7th, Rick Green, a former Texas State Representative and a Constitutional attorney will present a free 90-minute presentation starting at 6pm at the Stephens County Fairgrounds in Duncan. On Saturday the 8th Rick will present “A Citizens Guide to the U.S. Constitution.” The six hour seminar runs from 9am until 3pm, costs $40 and includes a $20 text. It will also be held at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. It would be worth a three hour drive to attend this informative seminar.
On Friday the 7th, Rick Green, a former Texas State Representative and a Constitutional attorney will present a free 90-minute presentation starting at 6pm at the Stephens County Fairgrounds in Duncan. On Saturday the 8th Rick will present “A Citizens Guide to the U.S. Constitution.” The six hour seminar runs from 9am until 3pm, costs $40 and includes a $20 text. It will also be held at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. It would be worth a three hour drive to attend this informative seminar.
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David Barton frequently says that America should elect people we can turn our back on. His point is that elected officials make most of their decisions out of the limelight; therefore it is critical we have someone with a fundamental understanding of the nation’s founding document to guide their decisions.
David Barton frequently says that America should elect people we can turn our back on. His point is that elected officials make most of their decisions out of the limelight; therefore it is critical we have someone with a fundamental understanding of the nation’s founding document to guide their decisions.
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American inventor and scientist Thomas Edison said, "The strength of the Constitution, lies in the will of the people to defend it." We start our defense by knowing what it says.
American inventor and scientist Thomas Edison said, "The strength of the Constitution, lies in the will of the people to defend it." We start our defense by knowing what it says.
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