it's really not as confusing as one thinks

There’s an overabundance of push and pull to get individuals to believe this or that, or a desire for financial gain pulled from those who are gullible, and easily duped. While those knowledgeable, are difficult, if not impossible to sway. Yet, overwhelmingly, in America (and worldwide) individuals are allowing a duping to transpire never before imagined in world history. And yes, this includes history that most deem abhorrent. To understand: What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. (Ecclesiastes 1:15)

Questioning: Is wisdom meaningless? In my life, after much ado with mistakes and do-overs, I’ve come to believe one’s desire should be to study, learn, and understand concepts before undertaking directional course changes. Especially in the realm of our country’s foundational precepts. So much, I firmly believe one should always be desirous to gain knowledge, thereby increasing their personal wisdom and understanding of political deceptions being foisted on them. Our nation’s framing document (Constitution) being foremost: the ability to interpret its intent and know its intended functionality against the very government citizens were born under.

So confusingly, I honestly wonder if many are cognizant that when the nation’s foundation was laid, the concept of power was, WE THE PEOPLE, not the government above. As today, I’m witness to a society of why learn and understand when others can feed, tell, direct. Conversely, what happens if the fabric of something clearly laid to guide a nation becomes twisted and maligned to the point of uselessness by those we’ve elected to implement constitutional jurisprudence based on the tenets of the Constitution we supposedly live under?

Example: about four years ago my family was invited to a social function. The hosts, faith based: Catholics, and full disclosure, I’m of like persuasion. But while in conversation, the Constitution, the nation’s very foundation, which I used to carry everywhere in my back pocket was questioned. A mid-twenties college student proclaimed: It’s old and outdated. We need to replace it.

My immediate response: Then you’ve never read it.

Perplexed by the statement, I began to describe details, and meanings, then recommended they read the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Federalist Papers. As well, the debates regarding it. The actual pontifications of those present when the battle to change national direction was desired. Another participant whom I respected (past tense) spoke up and said:

Don’t bother reading them - boring. Get some books written by this author and just believe what he writes.

I was stunned! How could anyone just believe what another claims without performing due diligence? Isn’t our nation not facing just this dilemma today? A willful disregard for knowledge in the desire a politician’s promise will take care of life’s problems. To correlate, the Constitution, like the Bible, is, I believe, a God breathed document. No other government anywhere from any time-period in history to the present is like it, while other nations have tried to copy it. Part of the magnificence behind it, it’s supposed to allow each citizen to live their lives the way they choose. But problems arise when those in power seek more power under the premise of providing when the provisions are already in place; personal responsibility for oneself with government limited in power.

One must understand there are two words which bring the Constitution full circle: moral compass. The document either stands or falls on the basis that every single person living under the tenets provided has one. But where they gained or developed theirs wholly dictates societal limits. And amazingly, some of the most sought-after rights are already guaranteed. Yet we fight each other for them due to the lack of knowing the Constitution, preferring to rely on those elected who are all too willing to intercede. Only, like a jar of “Ragu – It’s in there.” Especially when key words aren’t there. And no one, it appears, desires to learn and understand. To prove, look around. Although, in all of this, the problem every citizen should ponder are two other words that fit when questioning the limits of a moral compass: Pandora’s Box. Once one opens the lid, there’s no going back. So, when things considered unacceptable become acceptable, who then limits societal permissibility? Like buyer beware, when one yells “Hypocrite!” they must be ready to be called a hypocrite. And after the limits of acceptance change, everything changes, allowing a devolving society to become normalcy until normal is an abstract perception of a compass spinning out of control.

Meanwhile, during our visit, I struggled to get the college student to understand the freedoms granted and ultimately capitulated. They’d been brainwashed and believed the government should be more intrusive in our lives, financial support the impetus. After we departed the festivities that evening, on our way home, our then sixteen-year-old son asked: If the Constitution is old and outdated, then what about the Bible?

I thought genius as I offered: Why didn’t you speak up!! Knowing the family’s faith, I wish I’d thought of that. Each of us interprets things differently, but there are things clearly laid out. We just need to be desirous to learn what’s been granted by the documents given us and our posterity. Do we have free will, or a controlled future? Conversely, each of us has different talents, and wants different things in life, only limited by our desire to achieve the goals we set. Government incapable of giving to one unless it takes from another, violating the very premise of the Constitution. So, with revisionist eyes, one can twist things out of proportion, obfuscating truth. But, understanding history with clear perspectives, one can see the faults of the past, the needs of the present, and hope for the future. So, I wonder how the Framer’s, the imperfect men they were, could write so profoundly, yet legislators today can so profoundly screw things up?

One of the conflicts we face: Separation of church and state, and the constant debate of keeping church out of state. Yet, the Framer’s intent was strictly government would not institute a religion. Their memories of the past kept out of their present. And yes, there would not be a religious test for public office, but an apple is also not an orange. In other words, there is a difference between the two perspectives. But an interesting twist: Doesn’t everyone have a religion (faith/church) in something they believe in? If so, how does one keep their beliefs out of politics if there’s separation of church and state? The vicious cycle! And, if the Bible is so abstract and not allowed in government, why does the nation still print: IN GOD WE TRUST?