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Foundations of freedom
Today, the Republic celebrates the 200th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution, the document which sets forth the principles from which our liberties flow.
It’s a proper time for celebration, and undoubtedly much will be made of the hoopla and hyperbole which has surrounded the plans for the commemoration during the last year. Remember the birthday party thrown for the Statue of Liberty?
It appears that the Constitution’s bicentennial birthday will be honored by a somewhat less gaudy display. This . milestone should be a time for reflection, as well as celebration. The years have been good to the Constitution, but it continues to find itself attacked by all manner of enemies.
Some would chip away little bits, perhaps in hopes that no one will notice. Others propose a wholesale revision, a remake which would leave it more in keeping with their own narrow view of the way things should be.
Both types of efforts should be fought off with all the strength that freedom-loving Americans can muster. For no matter how small the changes may be, the analogy can be drawn to the erosion of a beach. Once it begins, it usually continues at a faster pace. And it gets worse before it gets better.
Some would say that we need a Constitutional Convention to enact, perhaps, a balanced budget amendment. But who’s to guarantee that is the only change they have in mind? Or maybe others would use the occasion to insert some pet idea of their own. % * Tba Constitution is not perfect. It has faults, and maybe ' some of them do indeed need to be remedied. But the _ document has served the country well for 200 years. We think that a lot of hard thought about what direction this framework of the principles of freedom should take as it begins its third century ought to go into any plans to alter it.
For today, we suggest reflection and thanksgiving for the 200 years of unique freedoms which the Constitution has provided for the citizens of the United States of America.
Happy Birthday, and many happy returns!
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