Category Archives: Constitution of the United States

And To Think It All Started With 10 Commandments

Posted on by January 17, 2013

On the wall in my law office, next to my grand bookcase full of law books, I had a framed cartoon.  It wasn’t a very large cartoon, but it made a point. The cartoon drawing showed a man, presumably a lawyer, standing in front of an enormous bookcase, full of law books. The man’s image of a thought balloon held these words:  “And to think it all started with just 10 Commandments!”

On July 4, 1776, 56 representatives from the original 13 colonies in America chose to begin a new nation. They declared our independence from Great Britain with an inspired document. That was the beginning of the United States of America. read more

The Constitution – Intended to Endure for Ages

Posted on by September 6, 2012

It was Labor Day. I was having lunch with several of my friends and neighbors. At some point I decided to ask:  “We are enjoying Labor Day. So now I ask you, what is the next federal holiday to celebrate?”

Those around the table looked sheepishly at each other. One finally volunteered, “is it Columbus Day?’

“No,” I said, “the next holiday is between Labor Day and Columbus Day.”  They seemed embarrassed and even chagrined–but no one came up with another federal holiday. read more

Constitution Day

Posted on by September 24, 2015

I realize we don’t celebrate this day like we do the 4th of July, but nonetheless I am surprised at how little people seem to know about it.

On September 17, I asked 7 or 8 of my friends and acquaintences a few simple questions. (Notice they weren’t all ‘friends’ or you would have expected them to be as patriotic as I am.)

The people I asked were young or old, white or black, educated or not so educated, as a sampling of our population. One of those was even an ex-Congressman. read more

The Constitution: “What? A Half a Bar of Soap?”

Posted on by September 24, 2015

Constitution Day is coming up on September 17. The Constitution of the  United States was unanimously (at the request of Benjamin Franklin) adopted by the People of the United States, through their representatives to the Constitutional Convention on that date in 1787.

Fifty-five wise and noble men put their all into the creation of that immortal document. Among these wise men, two were indispensable, or absolutely essential to its adoption. Without George Washington, the Father of Our Country, and James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, our U. S. Constitution would never have been created. read more

Thomas Jefferson – What Would He Think of Our Country Now?

Posted on by September 24, 2015

It would be interesting to hear what Thomas Jefferson would have to say about his country now, 235 years after he penned his immortal document, The Declaration of Independence. I believe in some ways he would be pleased. In others he would be chagrined and very disappointed.