“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.”

Way back in junior high school Mr. Murray, my social studies teacher, had us memorize the Preamble to the constitution. He must have thought it was important. And all these decades later I remember Mr. Murray and the Preamble. It’s fascinating the things that stay with you. I can’t remember what he looked like or who was in my class, but I remember that he was funny and kind and he was intent on imparting important truths that he thought would help us on our way through life. To be honest with you at that point in my young life I wasn’t at all interested in history or government to say the least. Boys and friends and the top 40 records occupied my thoughts and it’s amazing that I retained anything at all from Mr. Murray’s class. But I remember the Preamble, and for some reason that monopolies are bad. I also recall Mr. Murray quotes like, “You can’t win for losing” or “You can’t see for looking.” These Mr. Murrayisms have become a part of me too, and just pop into my head and out of my mouth at the appropriate times.

The Preamble introduces the United States Constitution and its intent. James Monroe described it as the “Key of the Constitution.” The U.S. Constitution itself requires state and federal legislators, judicial officers, and executive branch officials including the president to take an oath or affirmation to support its provisions. The oath is to the constitution, not the office, not to the voters or any other authority, but the constitution. It pretty much sums up who we are and what we stand for. “We the People” are the source of power. The Constitution was created to protect us and our children and grandchildren … to insure that we will always be a safe and free nation. Sometimes like Mr. Murray used to say, “You can’t see for looking.” What’s important is right before our eyes.

We are called, the UNITED States of America and WE THE PEOPLE must always remember that we are the source of power in our unique and free nation. We must remain vigilant and involved and never forfeit that power to a small group of self-interested individuals.

It began with us and it continues to be up to us to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

Annette Scohy is a member of Living Democracy: Engaging Citizens, a local citizen group. Our mission is to inform and educate the Mid-Ohio Valley about how government works on the local, state, and federal levels and how citizens can be involved to make our democracy work. Join us the third Monday of each month. livingdemocracymov@gmail.com and facebook/speak foryourselfvote and Youtube channel Living Democracy