The Uniqueness of the American Constitution
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.
This document, written more than 200 years ago is still the backbone that allows
America to be an example of freedom and righteousness to the rest of the world. Unlike
any other government doctrine, the Constitution has remained an active governing force
through the changes of American society. It allows its citizens the basic freedom of
human beings and does not infringe on one's individuality. In its uniqueness, the
Constitution not only gives freedom but also protects its people economically,
religiously, politically, and socially.
Power is a delicate element and the Constitution is careful in defining where
certain powers lie. One of the novelties about this doctrine is that it does a clever
job of dividing certain powers between the state and federal governments. Monetary
units, for example, are issued exclusively by the federal government. This is not only
more convenient for traveling purposes, but also allows for a more 'united' spirit.
People in California can easily view a commercial for a product affiliated with New York
without having to translate the cost or watch the television screen scroll down 50
different prices. The Stock Market functions fairly smooth now, but with an East Texas
businessman trying to sell to a novice buyer from Minnesota, things would be complicated
and time consuming. Other examples of powers held only by the federal government are the
formation and control of a militia and foreign relations. If each state had its own army
and own foreign policy combined, the idea of being 'united' would be only an idea. These
states would be more like small countries, more like Europe. With too much power on a
state level, a main government could not function, and with too much power in the
national government, states would be just boundary lines for the names of places. The
states hold just enough power to keep the federal government from having complete
control. This adds a balance that had no duplicate in any country, which perhaps is what
leaves many people dreaming of America.
One of the elements people incorporate into the American dream is religious
freedom. The governing forces of this country have no religious or denominational theme.
Instead, the founding fathers made it clear that a government should function according
to basic human decency and morale, not religion. A strict separation of church and
government is declared in the Constitution. This is not to prevent holiness from
entering politics, but to keep politics from entering holiness. Often times in governing
bodies, though the motives are pure, the outcome is somewhat crooked. This is why such a
separation is necessary; to keep government from corrupting church. Another reason is
simply to prevent governing bodies from dictating individual beliefs, because America was
never meant to be a dictatorship.
From the start, Americans, like all groups of people needed an example. They
needed someone not to be a dictator, but a leader. Due to the division of powers in the
federal government today, the threat of dictatorship is almost non-existent. The
President can be overridden by Congress as well as by the Supreme Court. Congress can
likewise be overridden by the President. There is no branch of government that is
allowed more power than another. This prevents any one body from becoming too powerful
or having too much input in national affairs. This division of power and the fact that
Congress is made up of so many individuals gives the general public a more active role in
government. The Constitution states, 'We the People', which is what makes this document
and America so unique.
Since the people rule themselves, American government cannot infringe on many of
the choices one makes. Due to the Bill of Rights, citizens have the right to say, hear,
write, and be anywhere they wish to be. However, there are limitations in order to
protect the peace and general welfare of a community. For the most part, though,
Americans are free. Starting from disorganized colonies and idle wanderers, this land
has underwent major revolutions to become the nesting house for freedom and dreams that
it is today.
Times in 1787 were extremely different than in 1997. With the memory of Great
Britain's heavy hand so fresh in the minds of early Americans, one can imagine the
apprehension and excitement of starting fresh. The men who wrote the Constitution
however, were not starting fresh. They remembered Britain's fo9llies and learned what to
do different. Each article and each amendment to the Constitution has reasoning behind
it, somewhat of a try-fail method of government. Fortunately for the American citizens
and for all who live in the United States, it has worked. The Constitution is the reason
for the American Empire.
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