"We, the People..."- Ascending, Descending, Order - Inter/Intra-Dependence Day, 2021...

Framers, Frame of Mind, Preambling: When we, here in the 50 states, united by a famous statute, hear the word "preamble", the first three words of today's post (should) come to mind, a statement of purpose, intention, and justification made on behalf of all of us descendants by the 55 framers, the ascendants of what was to become a brand new nation, divided by opinion and lively debate, while united in purpose, representing all current/future citizens. While a focus of continuing debate themselves, these three words are generally accepted by scholars of U.S. history in general and the Constitution itself, as referring to the cornerstones, of self -government, popular sovereignty, and consent of the governed. In other words (see, here I am already interpreting their intent myself), it is to represent "Us" and it will be "We" who will confer validity to the government, rather than the government having power over the people, whether individuals or groups...a lot of impact from three words, which was more than likely (here I go speculating again) why "They", the 55 framers, decided to insert them, the 52 words, ahead of our reading, hearing the 1,458 words from the Declaration, after which we attempt to overhear the framers, the 'founding fathers', read the 4,543 words from the Constitution...can you imagine if, instead of the newly elected Presidents of the United States of America, instead of simply accepting the daunting responsibility to "...preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution...", decided that we needed to first hear it in its entirety, starting with the predecessor "Articles of Confederation"...this, in order to remind "Us all of what "Perfect union" the framers sought and intended for us, in order that "We (the colonists at the time and all of us citizens going forward) may ultimately affirm, protect, and defend..."

United in Purpose, Installed for Us All: For all of us to see and read that is...ever since President Truman oversaw the installation of the engrossed copies of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution at the National Archives on December 15th, 1952, when he also drew a profound connection between these two founding documents: "...And these documents establish a system under which a man/[woman] can be free and set up a framework to protect and expand that freedom". Many historians, experts on these documents, have likened them to our collective birth certificate and a will and testament regarding the Fathers' intentions on behalf of us all, respectively.

Fore,After Thoughts: While the Constitution has been amended several times, neither the Preamble or Declaration have. And, while the Preamble obviously precedes the body of guiding principles which made up the initial Constitution, it was added as sort of an 'afterthought' (inserted by the "Committee of Style", nice!), having neither been discussed on the floor of the Constitutional Convention nor voted on (haven't you parents out there ever uttered "This is not open for negotiation or discussion"?). The Preamble also provides us with not only a framework for what was to follow in our U.S. Constitution, but also an enduring template for leadership in any setting. That is, effective, strong leaders, whether in a locker room with athletes, a leader on the battle field, an associate prepping to present a challenging report in the board room, or even parents in the home setting, use effective preambles to set the framework, the frame of mind, to ready their audience with what is to follow -- in order that they will not only be fully engaged but more likely to endorse, at least follow. Sometimes less than 52 words, other times many, many more, it all depends...

Twelve Score, Five...And counting to this very day. Can the founders of these beloved documents count on Us, to continue "To preserve, defend, protect..." as well as to persist in forming a more "perfect union..."? It's up to All of Us!

Coming soon: Our Inheritance, Legacy