We The People - Learn the Preamble to the Constitution

There was a time when students were required to memorize the preamble to the Constitution of the United States.  This introduction to the foundation of our country’s existence is important to learn and understand.  It’s the opening words to the document that defines the legal authority of our Representatives; both elected and appointed, and it defines our freedoms and our responsibilities as citizens of this great country---our country, our United States of America. 

In order to memorize these words, it’s necessary to understand what each phrase means.  Think about what each line means to you and for you.

We The People of the United States

That’s you and me, your sisters, brothers, children, parents, grandparents, and neighbors.  It’s every single person who is a citizen of this country.  We are the people of the United States.  Say that three times…We the People of the United States, We the People of the United States, We the People of the United States.

In Order to form a more Perfect union

So that we the people can create a stronger and better group.  Our founding fathers were being oppressed, over taxed, and burdened.  It was their intention to make the land upon which we lived and died and the people a strong, independent and fruitful nation…better than it was before.  A more perfect union.  Say it three times: in order to form a more perfect union, in order to form a more perfect union, in order to form a more perfect union.  Now say it together: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more Perfect union.

Establish Justice

It is important to have a foundation of rules and core values to govern by.  No government can exist without basic rules.  Again, three times is a charm:  establish justice, establish justice, establish justice.  Put it all together:  We The People of the United States, in Order to form a more Perfect Union, establish Justice.

Insure domestic Tranquility

Tranquility is a state of calm and serenity.  In 1776, our forefathers thought to bring us together, united together, to create peace and calmness so that we could govern ourselves instead of being governed by the whims of a tyrannical entity.  Three times: insure domestic tranquility, insure domestic tranquility, insure domestic tranquility.  And together: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more Perfect union, establish Justice, Insure domestic Tranquility.

Provide for the Common Defence

A country must defend herself.  There have been many instances in our history that required us to come together as one and defend our core values and freedoms.  So far our enemies have been in other lands, but our founding fathers understood that our enemies could also come from within. The important concept of this phrase is that we, you and me, will come together to protect our country – provide for our common defense.  Three times:  Provide for the common defence, provide for the common defence, provide for the common defence.  Putting it together: We the People of the United States, in order to for a more Perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence.

Promote the General Welfare

What does it mean to promote the general welfare?  The concept is fairly simple to understand, although it can be argued that our representatives and government appointees have forgotten or ignored the basic idea.  The general welfare is what is good for us all.  Not what’s best for me at your expense, or what’s best for a corporation at the expense of what’s best for the public.  It’s also not meant to favor any group over another.  The general welfare is what is best for the many, not the few.  Three times: promote the general welfare, promote the general welfare, promote the general welfare.  And together: We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare.

And Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity

Think about what it means to “secure the blessings of Liberty.”  What is Liberty?  Liberty is the freedom to be who we are, to believe what we carry in our hearts and souls, without being forced to do, say, or think otherwise.  Liberty is a fundamental freedom and a blessing bestowed upon us by the God of our many understandings.  Liberty equals freedom.  This line is a statement of our commitment to secure that liberty to ourselves and our children and our children’s children, and all those who come from us forever more.  Let’s say it together:  and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.  We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.

Do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America

We decree, we put it down and say it is so, it’s here, it’s established, we own it.  It is ours.  You know the drill: do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America. 

We the People of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.