Preamble to the U.S. Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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
Charting the Preamble Fill in the chart below with information about each of the economic promises made in the Preamble to the United States Constitution. Identify the meaning of the phrase and the benefits each one proposes to U.S. citizens. Establish Justice
What does it mean?
Who benefits?
How?
Ensure Domestic Tranquility
What does it mean?
Who benefits?
How?
Provide for the Common Defense
What does it mean?
Who benefits?
How?
Promote the General Welfare
What does it mean?
Who benefits?
How?
Secure the Blessings of Liberty
What does it mean?
Who benefits?
How?
Preamble to the U.S. Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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
Economics of Taxation Now that we have looked at the promises made in the Preamble, let’s look at how our government lives up to those promises... Use the website www.treasury.gov/resource‐center/FAQS/Taxes/Pages/economics.aspx to identify additional examples of GOVERNMENT SERVICES and to learn why these services are provided by the government. 1.
Choose FOUR of the government services described on the website. Where does each of the government services fit in the list of Preamble statements you described? 2.
Make a list of the reasons for providing these services through taxes. Why should they be provided by the government, rather than private companies? What arguments can you make either in favor of or against the federal government providing them?