Friday, September 15, 2017

leadership dot #1932: we the people

When did our focus become more on States rather than on the United? As we prepare to celebrate Constitution Day this weekend, I wonder whether we could have even gotten the constitution passed in this modern era. I’m afraid not.

It causes me to think about what principles should be for all, rather than to be left up to the states. Nevada was once the lone bastion of legalized gambling. Oregon began the assisted suicide movement. Colorado has its marijuana. Few states acknowledged same sex marriage before it became universal. Are we heading toward a sub-divided country where you choose a state because of the freedoms it gives you rather than enjoying those privileges country-wide?

And this is to say nothing of the politics that divide us even within states. Will the dissidence move us to even smaller increments of freedom: legalizing practices by county or city rather than trying to get an entire state to agree on something?

There has been much focus on our differences lately, and it all revolves around what questions are asked. This commercial for a Denmark television station highlights that we have more in common than we think if we frame the question differently. I recommend that you watch and consider the message behind it.

The Constitution begins with: We the people of the United States…. Not we the Democrats or we the white folks or we the good souls of Iowa…we the people. Focus on that one word to help us form a more perfect Union going forward.

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