3. A 30K feet Overview
39
“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 Constitution
40
CONSTITUTION ALIVE! Class Workbook
**********************************************
General Welfare: “Exemption from any unusual evil or calamity; the enjoyment of peace and prosperity, or the ordinary blessings of society and civil government; applied to states.” (emphasis added)
– Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
*The 1800 rematch election between Adams and Jefferson also created confusion when the old process created a tie in the electoral college between Jefferson and his running mate Aaron Burr due to there being no distinction between electoral votes cast for President or Vice-President. The tie threw the election to Congress, which finally chose Jefferson after several dozen ballots.
SECTION THREE: A 30,000 Feet View
41
42
CONSTITUTION ALIVE! Class Workbook
SECTION THREE: A 30,000 Feet View
43
44
CONSTITUTION ALIVE! Class Workbook
SECTION THREE: A 30,000 Feet View
45
“The power under the Constitution will always be in the people. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is exercised contrary to their interest or not agreeably to their wishes, their servants can and undoubtedly will be recalled.”
– George Washington
“Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.
“If the next centennial does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
– James A. Garfield
46
CONSTITUTION ALIVE! Class Workbook
(this page intentionally left blank)