Constitution Day

Happy Constitution Day!

Today marks the 220th anniversary of the signing of one of the greatest documents ever conceived by human beings for the governance of their nation; The Constitution of the United States of America. The first three words, "We the People" clearly say that this was to be a different type of country than those of old Europe. No longer content to be ruled over by monarchs who claimed to rule by divine right, or appointment by God; the fledgling USA was to place the government in the hands of the governed. The idea that people should rule themselves, and that the government held power by consent of the people was a complete overturning of the old order. The phrase on our one dollar bills, Novus Ordo Seclorum, declare this to be a new order of the ages.

Constitution Day was declared by Congress in 2004, and sponsored by West Virginia U.S. Senator, Robert Byrd. I for one, am glad. We have Independence Day, Flag Day, but the actual document that established our current government, the one that has proven itself over time, certainly deserves a day of recognition; a day when school children across America learn about this document so vital to our country.

So today, let's remember to not just revere the Constitution as an historical document, but rather as a living testament to the radical concept expressed by our founders that people have the right to govern themselves.