(JustPatriots.com) – The US Constitution is essentially a set of rules that dictate how a government can run. At its heart, it’s essentially the highest rule of law. But this is a relatively surface-level explanation; it does little to explain the document’s true purpose or the overall points it contains. Let’s explore these two areas.
The Purpose of the Constitution
The main purpose of the US Constitution is deceptively simple: create a framework for a government that’s both empowered and limited by the very people it governs. It ensures the people decide how their government will operate and which principles it will follow. This, in turn, limits the risk of tyranny and oppression at the hands of an abusive government.
At the time of its signing in 1787, this type of change was still a tall ask. America was just over a decade past the Revolution and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Some believed the government was fine the way it was. Others could keenly remember the level of oppression experienced while living under Britain’s tyrannical thumb.
But the 38 leaders who eventually signed the US Constitution collectively agreed change was needed. They felt that the only way to create a fair and just government was to put into place a document that would serve as the supreme law of the land. Otherwise, leadership would remain ineffectual, and the government would continue to be rife with opportunities for abuse of power, manipulation, inequality and hardship at every level.
Important Points of the Constitution
The US Constitution is powerful not just because of its core purpose, but also because of the guiding principles it contains. These include:
- Popular Sovereignty — The people have the right to decide (through elected officials) how the government operates and how much power it holds at any given time. No individual or organization may change the government or its laws without their direct consent.
- Limited Government — The federal government has a limited amount of power over the people. It’s limited in scope by the Constitution, and may only conduct itself according to the regulations and rules set out within it.
- Federalism — Power is shared between the federal government and each individual state. While the federal government may step in on issues related to the Constitution, it must defer to the state on most issues of local concern.
- Checks and Balances — The national government’s authority is divided between the legislative, executive and judicial branches. The powers of each branch are limited by a series of regulated limits and controls.
- Separation of Powers — Each branch of the government has its own distinct set of powers and responsibilities. This prevents any one branch from engaging in overreach or absorbing the powers of another.
- Republicanism — The US will exist as a Republic, meaning that the citizens within it work together for the greater good of the country. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and the government serves the will of the people.
The US Constitution remains firmly in place over 200 years after its original creation, evolving a total of 27 times — in the form of amendments — to better serve modern-day society. Our rights as citizens are better protected because of it, as is our right to the pursuit of happiness without government overreach and abuse. It will continue to serve us well, no matter what the future brings.
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