When a woman asked Benjamin Franklin, a founder of our Constitutional Republic, what kind of government the States created, he answered, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” The key to keeping that Republic exists in the understanding how the Constitution was designed to function.
The Constitution of these United States is not arbitrary. It is a document of standards established to keep the GOVERNMENT from becoming arbitrary. These standards were not invented by the men who wrote the Constitution. These standards were axiomatic truths that had proven themselves for over a millennium. Many of these truths can be found in five historic liberty charters, the very liberty charters that gave birth to America’s founding documents. The US Constitution is not an invention, it is an inheritance. Those who claim that America’s Constitution is vague, arbitrary, or even irrelevant do so because they are uneducated about where our Constitution came from and why it was formed.
The US Constitution and the govt it created was designed to protect Liberty. This purpose is declared in the Declaration of Independence. It is recorded in the Pre-amble to the Constitution. And The Bill of Rights (the 1st 10 amds) was incorporated into the Constitution to trigger an alarm when this liberty is being threatened. And yet, nothing in either of these three documents is an invention of the men who wrote them. Everything, every principle of government, every security to Liberty, and even at times the very language itself was taken from lessons learned from over 700 years of history and five essential Liberty Charters. It is this history that proves that the Constitution is not an arbitrary, living breathing document, but a document designed from blood-bought lessons in the historic struggle between liberty and tyranny.
Once this history is understood, today’s claim that the Constitution is irrelevant falls away and we begin to see not only how the Constitution is designed to limit government and preserve Liberty, but why we must adhere to this standard. The living breathing deception can only exist by eliminating these historical truths and isolating men from their own history.
Originalism or original intent means looking at the history that gave us our founding principles and realizing why they are important, it means understanding the Constitution in its historical context. This is the only way to ensure that this government operates to preserve the essential principles of liberty, to ignore the origin of our constitutional principles is to invite the same threats that prompted the necessity of their protection. To throw off the lessons of history invites despotism and inequality, apathy and corruption, slavery and oppression.
Originalism is the shield against slavery, masters, and oppressors. Originalism not only understands these essential principles of liberty, but embraces it with the knowledge that Liberty was the stated goal of the designers of the Constitution. Originalism is not only the correct legal way to apply the Constitution, it is the only way that guarantees and secures Liberty.
Originalism declares, “we don’t care what the mob says, we don’t care what the powerful say, we will ensure that all are treated equally with dignity. We are not ruled by mob mentality, but by the principles of Liberty because we know our history.”
However, a living breathing constitution is arbitrary. It creates government that is dependent upon current social trends and the will of the powerful. It is just another name for a Banana Republic. A living breathing constitution allows those in government to say there were no cell phones in 1789 so we have the right to arbitrarily control your communications. The living breathing constitution allows those in government to say since there was no internet in 1789, we can define who is a journalist and what can be said.
A living breathing constitution gives power to the oppressor through interpretation by the powerful, the majority, or the deceptive who distort history. So if the majority or the powerful decides that one group of people deserve less or more protection, less or more property, less or more liberty, then there is no recourse for the powerless or the minority. A living breathing constitution is slavery.
If we ignore that history and the Constitution in its proper context ceases to be the fixed standard for govt, then we are left to be ruled by the powerful or by the whim of the majority or by those at the controls of information who would distort history and truth. If we do not know these essential principles of liberty and where they came from, we cannot evaluate and ensure the solutions are proper and not tragic. Some call these unseen consequences, but when you can see through the lenses of history you know that they are no unseen; they are proven facets of human nature.
There is no magic pill. History and truth tells us there is no quick fix. If we truly want to make America great, we must reacquaint ourselves with some essential truths. Without these foundational building blocks, we cannot achieve the successful ends we are all looking for and we continue to spin our wheels, haphazardly maneuvering government, sometimes to good ends, sometimes to destruction. Our problem is that our policies are not driven by these foundational principles, but instead are driven by the phantoms of prosperity or security.
Our Constitution is not arbitrary and neither are the solutions. They are time tested and essential. The designers of our Constitution put these solutions in our hands. It was the greatest gift they gave us…the opportunity to self-governance. It’s time we remember who we are and the power that we hold. I am convinced that Reconnecting with this truth will reignite the lamp of liberty. Let’s learn from history so we will not be doomed to repeat its mistakes. Let’s stand for liberty today so our children will not have to bow tomorrow.
Reignite the lamp of liberty today with the knowledge our founders expected us all to know: www.LibertyFirstUniversity.com
Thank you, KrisAnne. Your writings are always comprehensive and excellent. You should be on the U.S. Supreme Court.
‘The US Constitution and the govt it created was designed to protect Liberty. This purpose is declared in the Declaration of Independence. It is recorded in the Pre-amble to the Constitution. And The Bill of Rights (the 1st 10 amds) was incorporated into the Constitution to trigger an alarm when this liberty is being threatened. And yet, nothing in either of these three documents is an invention of the men who wrote them. Everything, every principle of government, every security to Liberty, and even at times the very language itself was taken from lessons learned from over 700 years of history and five essential Liberty Charters. It is this history that proves that the Constitution is not an arbitrary, living breathing document, but a document designed from blood-bought lessons in the historic struggle between liberty and tyranny.’
Kris, I have never heard an adequate response to this. “ The US Constitution and the govt it created was designed to protect Liberty”. One can hardly say that slaves were given freedom under the Consitution at the time it was written
. the Constitution is not an arbitrary, living breathing document, but a document designed from blood-bought lessons in the historic struggle between liberty and tyranny” Once again the problem with slavery being condoned at the time the Constitution was written.
“ Everything, every principle of government, every security to Liberty, and even at times the very language itself was taken from lessons learned from over 700 years of history and five essential Liberty Charters”.
Again the issue of slavery.
“ This purpose is declared in the Declaration of Independence”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. “
Yet again; how do you reconcile all men are created equal and say that the Constitution at the time it was written with slavery even being promoted that original ism is to be used as the basic interpretation of the Constitution?
Originalism is the shield against slavery, masters, and oppressors. Originalism not only understands these essential principles of liberty, but embraces it with the knowledge that Liberty was the stated goal of the designers of the Constitution. Originalism is not only the correct legal way to apply the Constitution, it is the only way that guarantees and secures Liberty.
Originalism declares, “we don’t care what the mob says, we don’t care what the powerful say, we will ensure that all are treated equally with dignity. We are not ruled by mob mentality, but by the principles of Liberty because we know our history.”
Educate me. How do you reconcile the above and slavery condoned under the Constitution at the time it was written”? Did it contain all truth?
Too, I am unaware of anyone saying the Constitution is arbitrary but if it is not a living, breathing entity it must be dead.
Nice points respectfully put forth. You actually have 2 questions; the issue of slavery being allowed to exist AFTER the Constitution was written and ratified and the Constitution being a living breathing document. I’ll take the one that has a shorter answer. If you think of the Constitution as a contract between the people and the government, you will see that it cannot be living/breathing. Using another common contract most of us have signed in our lives, the mortgage contract, you can see why we don’t want it to be arbitrary or living/breathing. We certainly would not want a new mortgage company CEO to come in and raise interest rates and/or shorten the duration of all mortgages on the books to improve cash flow and increase the stock price. Thank goodness our mortgage documents are not arbitrary.
Slavery is the enigma and the very opposite to principals that were set forth in the D of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson actually included freeing the slaves in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence. However, 2 southern states would not sign it with that clause in there, so it was edited out.
This so called dilemma of “slavery” has been adequately covered in detail by Mrs. Hall and many others before her.
For all the verbage you’ve enlisted here it appears that you have not pursued this conundrum for adequate perceptiton OR are lntentionally obfuscating to cause confusion in the mind of the low-info crowd…..well bud this ain’t it here.
See what Frederick Douglas determined the valid facts and intention’s were and why.
They were good enough for him- and that better be good enough for you or you wish no resolution period…..only argumentaion which helps no one.
Your response is pleat with ignorance. One example to show the condemnation of slavery was in Article 1 section 9. Please read. This ls Madison’s first example that I am aware, of his disdain for slavery where he attempts to discourage it by imposing a $10 tax per person being brought in. Slavery was big back then and they couldn’t ratify a constitution with an immediate halt, so this was done. Also, read the federalist papers on this subject and you’ll see where he addresses this specifically calling it a crime against humanity.
Hi Mr. Wilder. I’m not KrisAnn and I have a terrible memory for details. But I feel very compelled to reply here and I hope I can give enough information that one who knows history better than I will finish my answer.
It is my understanding that the founding fathers came together with very many issues they wanted to include but they initially agreed Everyone Must Agree, not just concede to the issues. The issue of slavery was discussed and of course, Already in practice in the land. But because all the founders could not be convinced to ban it from the United States, it was not outlawed by the Constitution.
I apologize that I can’t provide any source material to support this. This is just something I have known for many years. I hope I have told you correctly.
Would recommend KrisAnne’s DVD on Slavery and America’ founders at. https://sovereignduty.com/product/slavery-americas-founders/
Excellent as always. You are an inspiration for the rest of us. Thank you for all you are doing.
THANK YOU Kris Anne. I am working on being able to take lessons from your Liberty First University.
GOD SPEED FOR ALL OF US!!!
And GOD BLESS YOU.
Why was the term “Constitution” chosen, when some take it to mean a “contract for repayment”, as when Hamilton “erroneously” put America back into debt-based, non-sovereign money ?
WE the People had no money=what do you do in that dilemma?
WE had just gone thru the Protracted French and Indian Wars then the War for Independence.
Reality says monetary capital must come from somewhere = not thin air.
Maybe you have a moneytree- most have to borrow to make the jump in life from, college, cars, mortgage etc= same for a fledgeling nation.
Just look at the idiots in charge over the last 105yrs here to see fools that have put us in the sinkable debt now.
This site and most here want America to become solvent again using the wisdom’s the Founder/Framers had by relearning all that meant and re-applying it today.
The Declaration & Constitution together are the rule book the Government to obey & follow. And, it is the people who elect our Government…”WE THE PEOPLE” HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO VOTE ANY AND ALL CORRUPTION OUT OF OFFICE AND REPLACE THEM WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THAT RESPECT OUR CONSTITUTION AND SERVE THE CITIZENS’…!!!
You point out the history behind the framing of the Constitution proving that it must be viewed by the original intent of the framers. This is vital for me when explaining to someone why we must seek original intent when deciding what our Constitution says. I hope this will help me in the future. Many thanks.
As to slavery, I am pretty successful when I explain the 3/5ths clause and Frederick Douglass’s remarkable regard for our Constitution.
What are the 5 historic liberty charters? I know the Magna Carta are one, but what are the other 4?
Erik,
Recommend Liberty First University. New initiative by KrisAnne that covers this in depth as well as a growing library of courses. Wholeheartedly recommend it.
1100 Charter of Liberties
1215 Magna Carta
1628 Petition of Rights
1641 Grand Remonstrance
1689 English Bill of Rights
What are the five historic liberty charters? Thanks
Mrs. Hall wrote “Many of these truths can be found in five historic liberty charters,” I am disappointed that Mrs. Hall did not list or otherwise list these charters for independent study and/or research. Without siting the documents referenced doesn’t the statement count little more then opinion?
Still it is one of the best short articles I have read on the solid foundation the Constitution is for our country.
The reason she doesn’t list them is that she wants you to enroll for Liberty First University where this is the first class…. and it is excellent. Here they are for your info:
1100 Charter of Liberties
1215 Magna Carta
1628 Petition of Rights
1641 Grand Remonstrance
1689 English Bill of Rights