Do We Have a Living Constitution, Or Is It Just Outdated?

Interestingly as I am writing this blog series, I have learned a couple of facts that worry me. And they should worry you, my patriot parents.

First, a publisher, Wilder Publications, has placed a disclaimer on a book they are selling on Amazon. The book contains the Declaration of Independence, The US Constitution, and The Federalist Papers. Here is the wording of the disclaimer: "This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today. Parents might wish to discuss with their children how views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and interpersonal relations have changed since this book was written before allowing them to read this classic work."

Now very little can be found on the internet about this publisher--not one of the big ones. But the fact that they would do this is disturbing to me. Will other publishers follow suit? I pray not. The Constitution is not a "product of its time", but rather a timely document that holds the current laws of our nation. It is not simply "a classic work" to be lumped together with pieces of fiction (on which they put the same disclaimer), such as Lady Chatterly's Lover.

Again, let me repeat. It is the basis of our current set of laws. It is timeless. The group Media Matters said that the disclaimer simply "reminds parents and teachers that children may not know how different our society is today." I agree that parents and teachers should talk to their kids about these documents. But I don't believe a disclaimer of it being "a product of its time" is necessary. In fact, I find it insulting. Yes, times are different. But didn't we all learn that in school? Can't our kids tell that by the strange clothing in the photos? As I have said many times, parents need to be talking to their children about our country and this is one reason why.

That being said, the magic of the US Constitution is that it can be changed by amendment. Our founders knew that times would change and therefore, created a living document that could reflect the needs of future generations. Thomas Jefferson said, "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind...we might as well require a man to wear still the coat that fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

This brings me to my second point of concern--the definition of a living constitution. I was taught as I stated above, that our written laws could be changed as the times warranted, making it a living document. Any changes are a function of the legislative branch of our government and, in our constitution, the process for making these amendments is spelled out clearly.

However, now there are judges who believe that the term "living constitution" refers to something else. They believe that the judicial system can, and should, change laws or create new ones in order to adjust to today's world. This is a violation of the Constitution. It is the job of the courts, including the Supreme Court to interpret laws, not to make them. And, sadly, we have some jurists around the country today that are legislating from the bench.

This is an huge upset in the delicate balance of power in our country. If the legislature passes a bad law, the judicial branch can overturn the law. The executive branch has limits to what it can do and has to work with the legislative branch to create change. However, the only recourse to reverse a Supreme Court decision is to pass a new law that is written in a way that the Court will not overturn it.

In my opinion we are walking a slippery slope when we upset the power balance. Given too much power, one branch can overcome the other two and lead to tyranny.

These are issues parents can discuss with their children. Well, the older ones anyway. Know what they are being taught in school. And stay connected to them. The only way we got to this point was through apathy. Let's end the apathy and get involved. Get out and vote. Call your representation in Washington DC and let them know your opinions of upcoming bills and appointee confirmations.

I would love to know what you think.

Is God in the Constitution?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." This is the beginning of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

Our founders set up a system of laws in our Constitution that has been the basis of our republic for its entire history. In these laws, this is really the only reference to religion I have found. If you know of another, please educate me.

However, God was very visible and present in the Declaration of Independence when it said, "...among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them..." and "...all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights..." So our founders obviously believed in God. They wanted those Judeo Christian precepts of peace, understanding, justice, and tolerance to be the basis of the new country.

So why one and not the other? In my opinion, the Constitution, being a set of laws, was deliberately written this way. The early settlers to this land came, in part, seeking religious freedom. They wanted to worship God in their own ways after their own belief systems. Knowing this right been denied this right in their ancestors, our founders did not want to see it denied to others. Their goal in terms of religion was to have an Eden where all people could worship God in the ways of their own choosing, or also have the right to not worship if that was the choice. To make laws that then told the constituents how to worship was distasteful to them. It flew in the face of their hopes of our country never becoming an oppressive theocracy.

Over the years, we have been that beautiful oasis where the oppressed could find shelter and a home. Yes, we have had some bumps in the road toward that oasis, but it is still the beacon of religious freedom for many who come here. In every city and town we have churches, synogogues, mosques, and temples. We have woods and oceans for the ones who find God in those places. Each soul is free to pursue their own religious expression.

It was worth fighting a raging sea for in 1492. It was worth fighting for in 1776. It is worth fighting for now--figuratively and literally. I read some statements from some of the Islamic extremists that want to see this country under Sharia law, and they are trying to make that happen.

I don't think it ever can, but we must be vigilant to protect this precious freedom that so many others envy and which so many others want to destroy. Parents must educate their children that this is one of our most valuable freedoms and we must cherish it. We must let our legislators and judges know how valuable it is to us.

We must pass this freedom on to the next generation.

God Bless Our America.

Betsy Ross Did Not Make the First US Flag

Our flag carries American ideas, American history and American feelings. It is not a painted rag. It is a whole national history. It is the Constitution. It is the Government. It is the emblem of the sovereignty of the people. It is the NATION.
-Henry Ward Beecher, 1861

Isn't that a lovely site? Happy Flag Day, everyone.

In keeping with my theme of promoting patiotism and love of our country, I am discussing our beloved flag. As I said in my last post, parents need to be teaching their kids about our history. This in one way I can assist in that.

Betsy Ross did not design and sew the first US flag, as I learned in school. Actually, that rumor started around the 1876 Centennial celebrations, according to research by the Smithsonian Institute.

So who did create our flag? No one is really sure. But there is a lot of speculation over who designed and sewed the first one. What we do know is that is has undergone 26 revisions since our first "Grand Union Flag." Why don't you and your kids research this as a family project?

And what does the flag stand for? Every child should be taught this. Do an internet search for the poem, Face the Flag, as it is a wonderful and uplifting narrative about our country and our flag. We should also know how to fly the flag with respect: this link is great http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/flagday.htm Also if your flag is torn or frayed, it should be retired appropriately. Call your local Boy Scouts and they will retire your flag for you. They have a special ceremony for it.

Below is a great way to teach the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag (you can find it spoken by John Wayne with an internet search).

Pledge of Allegiance
Written by Francis Bellamy and Commentary by John Wayne

I pledge allegiance to the flag

What do those words mean to you? To me they say thank you America for your strength, your courage, and for our freedom which has been a beacon to the world for 200 years.

of the United States of America

Whose bright stars are 50 states each bearing its own stamp of individuality. People 200 m strong, People who come to her from all corners of the earth.

And to the republic for which it stands

A land of laws with an ingenious system of checks and balances that allows no man to become a tyrant and lets no group to prevail. If their power is not tempered with real concern for the governed, a land where the power of dissent and free speech is jealously guarded. The ballot box is the sword and people its wielder.

One nation under God

A land where freedom of worship is a cornerstone of her being. A land drenched with temples and churches, synagogues and alters that rise in profusion to embrace all the religions of the world.

Indivisible

A land forged by the hot steel of raw courage and formed forever by the awful crucible—Civil War

With liberty

Where a man in pursuit of an honest life will not be denied his chance. Where her citizens move freely within her vast borders without hindrance or fear. A land brimming with opportunity where freedom of choice is the guideline for all.


and justice

The courts of our land are open to all. Its wheels of justice grind for all causes, all people. They look to every avenue for justice every concern of the law and they temper their reasoning with mercy for all.

for all

God bless the USA.

Saving Our Country--One Child at a Time

If you have read many of my blogs, you know how fiercely patriotic I am. Lately I have been saddened to see how many Americans no longer have the "American dream". Listening to the news, you would think that we live in a terrible country who hates everyone else and is overrun with greed and corruption. What government doesn't have their fair share of greed and corruption? But it is not what defines us as a country.

So for the next few weeks I am going to write a blog each week to talk to you parents about hope and change we can really believe in. In actuality we live in the best country that has ever been on the face of the home we call earth. Americans cherish individual liberty, creativity, and growth. Our constitution guarantees that we have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." There are very few countries, even today, in which that is true.

I am calling on parents to "brainwash" their kids--in a good way. During the days building up to the Independence Day celebrations, talk to your kids. Tell them all the wonderful things that our ancestors have stood and died for. Teach them what is in the constitution and how the magic of our constitution is that is can be changed. Our leaders can be changed and laws can be changed. We hold national elections every two years to guarantee that no one person can control our lives.

My dad "brainwashed" me. He fought in WW II for our freedom and was very proud of it. He told me on a regular basis how wonderful this country is. He grew up a poor country boy from Tennesse and was able to go to college and have professional success that his father could only dream of. The first song I ever learned was the Marine Corps Hymn, and he also made sure I knew other patriotic songs. He insisted that we be silent when the National Anthem was played to reflect on what it means. To this day, I still get tears when I hear America the Beautiful or God Bless America. Smaltzy? Yes, but is that a bad thing?

Explain to your children that yes, we have not always done the right thing in this country. We are a government of people who are fallible and make mistakes. However, our lawmakers, while they may differ on what is best, all try to come from a place of right intention. And if they don't, we can move someone else in that will. We are always the first country to come to the aid of another country in crisis, even our enemies.

Our individual freedoms are precious and our kids need to understand that if we and they are apathetic, we can lose them. Don't count on your schools to teach your kids what you want them to know. Some teach history from the left and some teach it from the right. To me, history is history and should be a retelling of facts without bias from either side.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to share some ideas that you can use to teach your children about our amazing history and why we should be proud to be Americans. Sadly, too many times these days they are hearing how awful we are--most of which is absolutely not true. When we do make blunders, we eventually find a way to try to make it right. That is what we do. We are Americans, proud to be from the greatest nation on earth.

The Cost of Cyberbullying

She was not just my sister, she was my best friend. We would do a lot of things together, and I loved that. I miss that so much today. All I have now is a big, black hole where my heart was. Because my little sister is gone, I won't be able to see her anymore--no more trips to the mall, no more smiles, hugs, late movie nights, nothing. It's gone. How can someone ever get that back?"
By Peyton Neblett, sister of Rachel Neblett who committed suicide because of cyberstalking

I pray that none of you ever have to say those words about your child. This is a problem we can do something about. For one thing, we can teach our kids coping skills for when bad things happen to them.

I read an article recently that claimed that there are more and more teens and young adults being put on anti-depressant meds because they have not learned to cope with adversity. How sad! Mom and Dad have protected them and sheltered them and fought their battles their whole lives. While as parents we want our kids to never be hurt and we vow to never let anything bad happen to them, it cannot and should not be prevented completely.

Instead of holding them up, we have to let them fall while they are learning to walk. Our kids need to know they can fall, or be pushed down, and get back up by themselves. Our job is to guide them and give them support when they need it. Mean things will be said about them or they will have their heart broken. We cannot stop that, but we can cry with them and let them know that life will go on. We have to find a way, through words and example, to teach life survival skills.

Another thing we can do is to teach our kids to respect others. It is surprising to me how often this vital lesson is overlooked. When I was growing up, I was taught that my rights ended when they infringed on someone else's. I remember my dad telling me that my right to free speech ends when I use it to intentionally hurt someone else. Our children will not respect themselves if they do not respect others.

Children who are taught to respect others will be the ones who stand up for the underdog, rather than abuse him or her. We need to be sure our kids understand that there is more strength and power in standing for right than bending for pressure.

I recently did a radio with Patricia Agatston, who co-authored the book, Cyberbullying: Bullying in the Digital Age. She had so much information and help. You can find out more about bullying and cyberbullying at http://www.cyberbullyhelp.com .

Remember, these kids will be adults one day and will have to live in world that does not revolve around them. We need to prepare them for this world.