The Second Most Important Book of All Time
My friend and fellow blogger Thad Brown recently put together a post that eloquently sums up a big part of the problem in our county these days...
Love it or hate it, there is no doubt that the Bible is the most important and influential book of all time. What’s the second most important document? If you said the combined Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution book I have on my desk, you would be correct.
Why? Our Constitution contains our Bill of Rights and an organized framework work determines the way our country works. Without it, we would find ourselves at the whims of whoever was in leadership at any point in time.
My friend and fellow blogger Thad Brown recently put together a post that eloquently sums up a big part of the problem in our county these days. He wrote…
“We live in a country devoid of even a basic understanding of civics.” He went on to present a Cliff Note version of our Declaration of Independence and The Constitution as positions the major pieces together as a foundation in civics.
As this is a holiday weekend… Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the work and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.
Here is an excerpt from his post…
The Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776
“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected then with another…
“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.”
The Constitution of the United States of America – September 17, 1787
We the People of the United States, in Order to Form a More Perfect Union…
Article 1, Section 1 – All legislative Powers granted in a Congress… which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section 2 – House composed of Members chosen every second Year, 24 years old, 7 years US Citizen, inhabitant of State, apportioned among states – currently 435 Representatives, with sole power of Impeachment (simple majority).
Senate composed of 2 Senators from each State, every 6th year in 2-year rotations, 30 years old, 9 years US Citizen, an inhabitant of the state. Vice President shall be President of Senate without a vote unless equally divided. Sole power to try all Impeachments (2/3 majority needed).
Section 7 – Bills approved by the House and Senate shall be submitted to the President and approved if signed by President or not acted upon within 10 days. Bills rejected will still become law if approved by 2/3rds of the House and Senate.
Section 8 – To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States (commerce clause).
Article 2, Section 1 – Executive power shall vest in a President, a natural-born citizen, 35 years old, for a term of 4 years, elected by Electors equal to Number of Senators and Representatives.
Electoral College – total votes include 100 (Senators) plus 435 (House of Representatives) and 3 (Washington DC per 23rd Amendment) = 538. The majority required to elect is 270.
Section 2 – President shall be Commander in Chief and have power by and with advice and consent of Senate to appoint Supreme Court Judges etc.
Article 3, Section 1 – The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court who shall hold a lifetime appointment of their offices during good behavior, along with lesser courts.
Article 4 – Full faith and credit are given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.
Article 5 – 2/3rds of both Houses necessary to approve Amendments to the Constitution. (2/3 of all states are necessary also.)
Amendments to the Constitution (the first ten are known as “The Bill of Rights“) – December 15, 1791
1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and redress of grievances
2. The right to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed
3. Soldiers not quartered in homes without consent
4. Right against unreasonable search and seizure
5. Guarantee of due process and rule against self-incrimination
6. Speedy and public trial by an impartial jury
7. Right to trial by jury
8. No cruel and unusual punishment
9. Rights stated do not take away from individual rights
10. Rights not listed belong to the states or to the people
11th 1795 – Restricts the ability of individuals to sue states in federal courts.
12th 1804 – Replaced Article 2 section 1 on electoral voting of President and VP
13th 1865 – Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment, shall exist.
14th 1868 – All persons born in the US, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the US.
15th 1870 – The right to vote shall not be denied due to race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
16th 1913 – Power to lay and collect taxes.
18th 1919 – Prohibition.
19th 1920 – Right to vote not denied due to sex.
20th 1933 – Term for President and VP ends Jan 20, and Houses end Jan 3.
21st 1933 – Repeals prohibition.
22nd 1951 – 2 term limit for President.
23rd 1961 – Gives electoral votes to Washington DC no more than the least populous state – currently 3.
24th 1964 – Voting not denied due to failure to pay taxes.
25th 1967 – Procedures for replacing President and Vice President in event of death, incapacity, or removal.
26th 1971 – The rights of citizens 18 years or older to vote shall not be infringed.
27th 1992 – House must approve any changes in compensation to either house before effective.
Like scripture, what would our lives be like without these two important documents?
Thad Brown is a thankful believer in Jesus Christ, with 5 adult children and 9 grandchildren, married to his high school sweetheart, and living in Texas after an exodus from California. Professionally, he has 30 plus years of experience as Managing Director of Registered Investment Advisory firms, and CFO of an NYSE listed investment firm, with CPA and CFP designations, a Master’s degree in Tax Law, and a passion for finance and investment planning, fly fishing, music, photography, wristwatches, golf, history, and the Bible. Visit his blog at https://forbyfaith.com/