The original, unedited, wonderfully written Constitution begins “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.”
Now, nearly 250 years in, it has stood the test of time. It’s what the nation’s forefathers hoped it would do.
It’s strongest part might be it’s first three words, “We the People.” It’s very beginning suggests that a group met and collectively decided on a course. That course took a brand new nation, now independent, from it’s birth to opportunities, freedom, safety, wealth, and health the likes of which have never been seen before on this earth.
Today, “We the People” are a very divided group. Are we the most divided in our nation’s history? Probably not. And, despite the histrionics advanced, it’s probably not even close. “We the People” were more divided before, during, and after the 1861-1865 Civil War. And, the civil rights movement of the 1960’s was worse to significantly much worse than today.
Today’s “we” are three “we’s” and counting. We love the disruption that Trump has brought to the status quo in Washington and when, where, and how the U.S. acts on the world stage. Or, we are disrupters known as “never Trumpers” and we hate (yes hate) Trump. A third, but growing we, embraces socialism, or even communism. Talk about disruption personified.
Don’t believe the socialism or communism part? A published poll last evening on one of the major networks showed 27% of American millennials favored communism over capitalism. These kids borrowed for college. They owe a lot of money. They believe that an entry level job isn’t a just reward for doing so. They want a refund. And they want it now. The 1% crowd might be their ATM so they think.
We cannot even rejoice in the elimination of the top leader of ISIS, Abū Bakr al-Baghdadi. Minutes went by and either the Democrats were offended for not being told prior, or Trump was acting like a bully about it on the bully pulpit, or the Washington Post was eulogizing the savage who ordered the killing of thousands as a austere religious scholar.
The never Trumpers, regardless of party affiliation, have embarked on a three year old campaign to unseat the man who ran the most unconventional campaign the country has ever seen to win the highest seat in all of the land. That campaign won’t stop all the while Trump’s campaign for reelection is full steam ahead. Hide in a basement, interview a self created whistleblower, scream “quid quo pro” enough times, and eventually impeach. That’ll get some of the “We the People” on your team.
Meanwhile, surely it’s time to gas up Air Force One and rile up the base in a red state near you soon. Stand in line, wear a red MAGA hat, and yell at the other side for 90 minutes. That’ll make you feel better. And, that’ll get some of the “We the People” on your team.
Meanwhile, Bernie and Elizabeth are promising those millennials the farm. The farm might not have much left if Trump doesn’t solve the China trade wars, but we digress. The farm might not have much left if Trump doesn’t fix that ole existential crisis of climate change, but we further digress. The farm includes free healthcare, free tuition, tuition debt forgiveness, free flow of immigration, free healthcare for immigrants legal or otherwise. Free, free, free. That’ll get some of the “We the People” on your team.
The only problem is that makes for three teams. It takes four teams for a good playoff. How about Team Biden? He’s the head coach of what’s left of the old Democratic Party. He’s the head coach of what’s now right of the new Democratic Party. He’s promising to, well, we’re not sure. Ah yes, he’s promising to beat Trump, platform TBD. Surely that’ll get some of the “We the People” on your team.
“In order to form a more perfect union” follows right after “We the People” in the Constitutions’ first sentence. The problem is we don’t know who to follow right now in order to form a more perfect union.
Oh, and one more thing. Nothing is free, not even freedom. Nothing.