La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

U.S. Constitution Day occurred September 17th to commemorate the Founder’s completion of the U.S. Constitution, September 17, 1787: Was it on your calendar? Did you honor it?

Most calendars do not mention it, and today’s schools tend to ignore it.

The U.S. Constitution fol-lows from the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation: It was ratified by the colonies in 1789. At that time, the colonies became states and the federal government was given certain enumerated powers, with the states holding those not enumerated.

“We the people” are not subjects of the government, for the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution changed that: Colonists were subjects of England (King George III), and the U.S. Constitution affirms our individual sovereignty in the Bill of Rights.

U.S. Constitution Day is a reminder for parents to re-read the Declaration of the Independence, and the Constitution; then, discuss them with their children/grandchildren: Most schools don’t teach “citizenship” or U.S. history any more, though the U.S. Constitution is the “supreme law” of the land.

Good governance is dependent on civically informed voters voting for the best candidate; i.e. those that best understand and morally honor the U.S. Constitution.

Roger Pederson

Bay View