The Nation's Mission Statement

"Intellectually, I find Constitution Day more captivating than Independence Day. The Preamble to the Constitution outshines the Declaration of Independence. It's about the profound journey from chaos and danger during the Articles of Confederation era to the diligent construction of a lasting nation.

In a recent online course with Clay Jenkinson, host of 'The Thomas Jefferson Hour' and 'Listening to America' podcasts, I challenged the notion of the Declaration of Independence as 'juvenile.' I believe that 'Freedom' alone doesn't define a nation; what we achieve with that freedom truly matters.

Raw freedom can be aimless, self-indulgent, and reminiscent of juvenile behavior. Conversely, the Preamble to the Constitution represents the wisdom of adults—the Founders' 'mission statement.' It channels the youthful concept of freedom with purpose, direction, and determination.

There was a time when nearly every high school senior could recite our nation's mission statement by heart, but today, that's a rarity. It's a shame because the Preamble sets out our noble goals:

'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.'

So, on this Constitution Day, let's celebrate the profound wisdom encapsulated in these words. 🇺🇸📜"