December 23, 2011
The Relevance of a 224 Year Old Constitution
by Hombre Liggett
An ongoing argument over modern political and social issues centers on whether
the U.S. Constitution is relevant in today’s world. With all the advancements in
technology, communication, transportation, commerce, and in the medical field, some
argue that the Founding Fathers could not have foreseen what would be necessary for
the United States to remain a healthy society 224 years in the future.
Such arguments are generally connected to an agenda for social entitlement and
the redistribution of wealth. The original intent of the U.S. Constitution stands in the way
of advancing their agenda.
In spite of arguments over our Constitution’s modern relevance, the Founding
Fathers did consider our constitutional republic form of government in an advancing world
of diverse breakthroughs. For example, Benjamin Franklin articulated how quickly the
world could change based on inventions and personally proved it with the success of his
own creative experiments.
Yet, when forming the Constitution, the framers did NOT construct its survival
based on any advancement in technologies or society. They wrote the restrictive forces of
the Constitution on something far more predictable…the heart of man. They understood
that times would change, and that breakthroughs would come in many forms and on
many levels. They therefore constructed the Constitution on one thing that they knew
would not change, and that is human nature.
The U.S. Constitution is relevant today because a person or a group of people will
just as quickly oppress a culture in 2011 as they would in the 1780s. The Constitution is
NOT built in a way to ensure people’s rights to access future provisions, but to protect
people in any time period from the ruthlessness and oppressive nature of both individuals
and governments.
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If we continue to eradicate and corrode the authority and restraints of the U.S.
Constitution, regardless of our justifications and reasons, then we will fall under the
tyrannical control of a leader or an oppressive government. The lessons of both ancient
and modern history guarantee this.
Thomas Jefferson said, "In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of
confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution".
That is what the Constitution is really about. It gives freedom from oppression by those in
authority. When people say that our Constitution is obsolete based on current world
circumstances, then they are usually ignorant of its genius and function.
When we get into discussion with people regarding the modern relevance of the U.S.
Constitution in regards to the needs of the American citizen, then we need to know how to
respond intelligently. Many of the advancing ideologies people argue are based more in
socialism than liberty. They tend to advocate that every human has a right to a job, a
home, health insurance, home internet access, equal pay and benefits, and the list goes
on.
These are NOT unalienable rights, nor is it what Americans supported and fought
for in the late 1700s. To be clear, unalienable rights are rights that are unable to be
alienated, given up, or transferred to someone else. They come from God, and no man or
government can rightly give them or take them away. Some examples of unalienable
rights are life; liberty; self-government; to bear arms; to purchase, develop and dispose of
property; make personal choices; free conscience; choice of profession; choice of a mate;
to assemble; to petition; to free speech; to a free press; to the fruits of one’s labor; to
privacy; to provide personal security; to a fair trial; of free association; and to contract.
The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to equal opportunities to pursue and
establish a better lifestyle, not the right to that lifestyle without personal effort and
investment. Today, our Constitution is under attack more than ever. If we do not have a
restoration of Constitutional authority and restraint upon our government, then our
children and grandchildren will not only be poor… they will be oppressed.
Remember that we the people are the authority in America. We only lend our authority to
representatives and to our government. We must continue to educate ourselves on the
truth and stand for what is right.
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