We The People

The 2018 buzz phrase might very well be “The United States Constitution.” While I was traveling on NJ Transit, I overheard a family asking a young girl (about 10 years of age) to explain the branches of government. She answered correctly. Television newscasters are relating stories of how health bills become laws.  The Electoral College votes for the president not the populace.  We are living today with a document (The Constitution) created in 1787.

Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman said, “From the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution to the Bill of Rights, our founding fathers laid out principles that became the very definition of who we are—or perhaps, who we were prior to the last election.”  She continued to say, “It’s not that we were perfect; we didn’t always live up to the ‘better angels of our nature,’ but we were constantly trying, and were safeguarded in our efforts by the protections inherent in those founding documents.” (1)

I must ask: What does the Constitution, written at a different time in history, mean to you today?  Even though it is 231 years old, written in handwriting that is nearly illegible and in language difficult for many of us to fully grasp, it is an important reference work that teaches laws and regulations to our citizens, so that we might experience happiness, safety and comfort.

The Constitution both creates and limits power at the same time!  The Constitution is rigid in guaranteeing individual rights; yet it is also a partly adaptable and changing instrument of government.

I was shocked to learn that a 2016 survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that only 30% of adults were able to name the three branches of government; only 30% of those surveyed believed that a ruling from the Supreme Court could be appealed; and 40% thought that the president has the power to declare war. (2)  Really, I cannot imagine that American citizens do not know the basic facts!

How do we explain the laws of our land to children? This can be accomplished by instilling in them at an early age that voting is an important duty of every citizen; that the government has limitations; and that every citizen has Constitutional rights that cannot be taken away or violated. Children need to learn about the Bill of Rights and what rights the first ten amendments guarantee them as Americans. They also need to learn about the remaining 17 amendments and why the Constitution places limitations on the government and gives power to the people.  Factual learning is best reinforced with experience and exposure to various opportunities, such as debates, current events discussions, engaging in community service, and attending court hearings.

The call number for the Constitution collection is 342.73.  Check out these selections!

Adult Selections:

An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice by Khizr Khan

An enjoyable biography of Khizr Khan’s life.  He believes that no man is complete until his education is complete.  Also, he believes that America is strong because of its values. The American experiment he claims is the ideal to which liberty matters and why we must defend it for all people.







The Citizen’s Constitution: An Annotated Guide by Seth Lipsky

This is a readable reference that includes the Constitution of the United States, commentaries and scholarly histories of its writings.  The Citizen’s Constitution draws on the writings of the Founders, case law from our greatest judges, and current events in more than 300 annotations.

The Constitution: An Introduction by Michael Stokes Paulsen and Luke Paulsen

A very detailed look into the Constitution. The authors provide a clear, accessible introduction to the history and meaning of this historic document. In order to stay true to this essential American document, the authors argue, it is imperative that we, the people, know the meaning and history of each of the Constitution's components and allow ourselves to be guided by the intentions of its authors--not the opinions and whims of the judges charged with interpreting it.

Constitutional Myths: What We Get Wrong and How to Get It Right by Ray Raphael

Meticulously researched historical tour de force, Raphael sets the record straight--and sounds a vital call for a reasoned and evidence-driven debate about our founding document








Citizenship Passing the Test Civics and Literacy Third Edition 2016
Lynne Weintraub.
A very basic student workbook with a chapter on the Constitution.

Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change the Constitution by John Paul Stevens, Edited Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

An eye-opener to how Judge Stevens thinks.  He would add words to the Second Amendment to read, "The right of the people to keep and bear arms when serving in the militia shall not be infringed." He would also end the death penalty, adding it to the prohibitions on "excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment."

He proposes changing the First Amendment, the protection of free speech, so that it allows "reasonable limits" on the amount of money candidates for public office or their supporters can spend on election campaigns.

Juvenile (Ages 8- 12) Selections:

This Is Our Constitution: Discover America with a Gold Star Father by Khizr Khan J320.97 KHA 2017 New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

An outstanding book written for the middle school students and their teachers (especially, Mr. Merrick’s civics class at the Peabody School in Charlottesville, Virginia). This is Our Constitution includes notes throughout that share Khizr Khan’s reflections on and connections to the U.S. Constitution. The fascinating history of why and how the Constitution was written, Article by Article and section by section, an easy-to-follow explanation of the Bill of Rights, and pivotal Supreme Court decisions. Complete texts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States by David Catrow

A humorously illustrated preamble to the Constitution of the United States.










What is the Constitution?  (My American Government Series) by William David Thomas

Includes bibliographical references and index. Rules of the game - Plans for governments - Creating the U. S. Constitution - Amendments - State constitutions.

We the People: The Story of Our Constitution by Lynne Cheney

In May 1787 delegates from across the country - including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin - gathered in Philadelphia and, meeting over the course of a sweltering summer, created a new framework for governing: the Constitution of the United States.

The Constitution (Kaleidoscope Series) by Suzanne LeVert

Constitutional History, The Preamble - The founding of a country - The principles of the Constitution - The Bill of Rights - The Constitution as a living document. The rights and regulations found within the U.S. Constitution created the model for the government of the United States.  Originally written on four pieces of parchment, the Constitution creates a government that is strong yet flexible. It has been able to adapt to the changing needs of America for more than two centuries.

12 questions about the US Constitution by Kate Conley

As the title mentions, this book presents 12 questions about the constitution written for children in grades 3-5.  There is a web link for the full text of the US Constitution.  Also, the book is part of the series entitled, “Examining Primary Sources,” and this book has a unique page at 12-StoryLibrary.com that is filled with hand-selected online resources.








The U.S. Constitution and You by Syl Sobel, J.D. Second Edition

All elementary school students learn about the history of the U.S. Constitution when they begin social studies. This book tells them about the great American document itself - explaining exactly what the Constitution does as well as how it affects and protects people today.  Glossary included.

Americapedia: Taking the Dumb Out of Freedom by Anderson, Jodi Lynn

This book is aimed at preteens/teens who want to know more about the day-to-day workings of the U.S. government and features a unique blend of humor and information that makes it a cross between a textbook and a satire.








Young Adult (Ages 12-17) Selections:

The Constitution and its Amendments 4 Volume Set by Roger Newman

This four volume reference set is geared for students studying the constitution. Entries focus on articles, amendments, concepts, essential case, or on a subject of importance during a particular time period.  This reference collection is filled with political cartoons, photographs and has margins filled with more facts!

Fault Lines in the Constitution Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws That Affect Us Today by Cynthia Levinson and Sanford Levinson

Examines the Constitutional origins of modern-day political problems and outlines solutions for these issues.

Our Constitution Rocks by Juliette Turner

This fabulous book is organized with part of the Constitution, then the bottom line, what were they thinking, why should I care?  Breakin’ it Down, How I Can Make a Difference?








The First Amendment Book by Robert J. Wagman

An outstanding explanation of The First Amendment’s origin and history. This book contains firsthand accounts of freedom of speech and its challenges by top newspaper editors.

Live history by going to the National Constitution Center and the National Liberty Museum located in Philadelphia.  The Mercer County Library System has free museum passes!

Museum Passes to:

1) The National Constitution Center: The Museum of We the People
             Independence Mall/ 525 Arch Street/ Philadelphia, PA
             Hours of Operation: Weekdays 9:30 -5; Saturday 9:30 -5;
             Sunday 12-5.

The brochure states: Philadelphia’s Independence Hall where the Constitution was written and signed in 1787.  The Declaration of Independence was signed in the same room 11 years earlier.

2) National Liberty Museum 
             321 Chestnut Street/Philadelphia/PA
             Hours of Operation: Winter: M-F 11-4, Saturday 10-5, and
             Sunday 12-5; Spring 10-5; Summer: 10-6; and Fall: 10-5.

The brochure states:  Liberty is not a relic of the Past.  Liberty is essential to our lives and well-being.  The American Revolution laid the foundations for the Liberty we enjoy today, but did not secure it.  That’s up to us.

If you want to see copies of the original Constitution go to the National Archives located on 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Whitman, Christine Todd.  “Pillars of Our Democracy under Fire” Opinion Trenton Times, December 16, 2017, p. A8.

2 Chorneau, Tom. “Making the Case for More Civics in the Classroom” Ed Digest November 2017 p. 10-11.  (Condensed from an August 8, 2017 from www.cabinetreport.com).

- Susan Seidenberg, Ewing Branch