Age, Wisdom, and Fifth Graders on the Preamble of the Constitution

As I was helping my fifth grade daughter memorize the Constitution's Preamble, I could only remember the days of "Schoolhouse Rock', and how I learned the Preamble by singing it, which I again did for her to help her memorize it, I also recalled having to stand and say it for my own eighth grade teacher (yes, eighth grade teacher (my dear Mrs. Kounoui), and who, in front of, I tried my best NOT to sing it (which my daughter wailed, "MOOOOMMMMM, I caaaannnnnn'tttt, siiinnnng it!" Actually, it was more of a whine.

So, I sat down with her, and analyzed exactly what the forefathers were saying, and my eyes were opened. I do not think I have ever really been so excited and enthusiastic about what the Preamble was saying, and I tried to pass it on to my daughter. I think she thought I had lost my mind. However, in this day and age, we seldom realize the importance of what was written down so thoughtfully and skillfully by our forefathers and the spirit of service and sacrifice the Preamble represents.

We, the People of the United States (sitting in this room under very strange, never before encountered circumstances, risking our lives, liberty, property, and status)

In order to form a more perfect Union (indicating their true intent to establish a union from one which was fraught with war, pull unconnected communities together, establish stable state lines, give states equitable representation and build an independent United States)

Establish Justice, insure tranquility (set up laws to live peacefully among all the people that came here looking for a better life, not under sovereign rule),

Provide for a common defense (establish a national army to protect the land of liberty they are establishing, to remain in peace)

Promote the general welfare (of all, under the context of this document, so that all may be cared for and protect)

and, secure the blessings of liberty, for ourselves and our posterity (for us, signing this document and for not only our own, but all generations to come, to be a free society),

Do ordain (to order or establish formally, especially by law or by some other authority – Encarta Dictionary),

And establish this Constitution, of the United States of America.

Ponder this for a moment. Can you think of another country that comes close to having these intentions spelled out in a "preamble", a statement that comes before the stated law of the land? Never having looked at it as an adult, I felt a bit like Robin Williams in the movie, "Opus" (I think that is what it was called), that was so excited about sharing his knowledge and love of his subject. Other countries, for whatever reason (I heard young Russians say they hate America because we are the most powerful nation, the logic of this rationale is beyond my comprehension, we worked at it, despite a Civil War, as well as many other wars), others because we have freedom of religion (our forefathers and government felt this was important), and our government is still in existence today. I suppose if you learn about America's history, study the American Constitution, you may come to believe that America is truly a great place to be, and not a place to terrorize and hate.

Education, again, is America's answer to its critics. Learning about other religions, cultures, institutions, and countries, gaining trade skills or even elementary skills would give the children of the world, even Iraq's, Iran's, and the so-called "Axis of Evil's children the weapons they need to resist serving a terrorist or dictator. To those in America who are close-minded, judgmental, or undereducated, think about these things. Politicians, news reporters, and writers, think about these things as well. All classes of people should know that education could solve many, many societal problems. To those in politics that say, "E. Pluribus Unum", I am only one of many, it only takes each one of us to change a community of many. Starting with the children, the one becomes the many, and the many become the country.