Promote the Preamble to the US Constitution..

To get a copy of this resolution formatted for printing, so you can take it with you to your precinct convention, click on the link in the Attachment box below.

WHEREAS, The Preamble to the Constitution, written in 1787, is the philosophical cornerstone of this country, and

WHEREAS, the Preamble is the following: "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", and

WHEREAS, The Preamble should be revered for its aspirations but criticized for its delivery since the United States at that time granted only white male landowners the right to vote while denying blacks and women this right and many other rights that we consider to be basic today, and

WHEREAS, Most citizens and politicians do not know this document verbatim as they do the Pledge of Allegiance, and

WHEREAS, Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance rings hollow unless one understands "for which it stands", and these are in large measure the principles encompassed in the Preamble, and

WHEREAS, This country has recently lost its moral high ground by allowing governmental agents to spy on American citizens, initiate a war against an enemy who was not an imminent threat, and has reduced the social services that are called for when the Preamble says "promote the general welfare", and

WHEREAS, Learning the words of the Preamble and the meaning behind them can be a fundamental step in providing citizens and the country with a moral compass, therefore be it

RESOLVED:

* That the Democratic Party advocate the reciting of the Preamble before each session of the House and Senate and at venues such as schools and political meetings, essentially whenever the Pledge of Allegiance is currently recited,

* That discussions of the Preamble be a part of all school curriculums beginning at whatever grade the Pledge of Allegiance is currently recited,

* That the Preamble be posted in all locations where the Pledge is posted, and that

* A full, fair and open discussion of the Preamble be encouraged in public venues and organizations throughout the United States on at least an annual basis, on Constitution Day, September 17.

Draft by: Ted Weisgal, revised Feb. 28, 2006