Our system of government is nearing its 250th anniversary. Some people take it for granted, but now would be a good time to remember a forgotten part: the Preamble to the Constitution.
The Preamble to the Constitution is not about laws, it’s about social rules, about our responsibility as citizens to act voluntarily for the good of the nation.
Only 51 words long, it’s a brief reminder that every society depends for its health on people acting for the social good. For example, respecting the rights of others as well as upholding our own rights, acting lawfully, but also amicably – to “ensure domestic tranquillity” and to “promote the general welfare” (that did not refer to government assistance, but to all of us assisting the government to keep the peace).
Laws are set up to draw a line of restraint, or even punish when broken, but much fewer laws are needed when people act for the general welfare of the nation.
Before the U.S. Constitution was written, people lived in a Confederation of Independent States. Our Constitution brought us together as a nation.
Laws are rigid, social rules are more flexible – about how to live together and work together, accepting our individualities, at the same time recognizing we live together as community.
Some modern examples:
- There are anti-bullying rules that require honesty and fair play.
- In sports, competitiveness is OK, cheating is not.
- Traffic laws are about driving safely to avoid accidents and keep traffic moving.
- Children need age-appropriate limitations for protection and guidance as they learn about the world.
Daisy Swadesh
Farmington
