“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Animal Farm, George Orwell
Recently I was pondering the U.S. Constitution. This is nothing unusual. In our politicized modern world it seems I can’t get to my morning cup of coffee without someone invoking a constitutional justification for doing whatever the hell they really want to do anyway. The few of us that favor being left alone find ourselves clinging to the Constitution too. It’s a life raft in a sea of actors intent on regulating anything from magazine capacity to Big Gulp sizes.
I was weary of the tit for tat that happens with constitutional arguments long removed from the source. Honestly, how many talking heads yammering over Obamacare ever read the darned Constitution? (Note: when someone asks “are you serious?” I am happy to truthfully answer “Yes I am.”)
I’ve also noticed how many people refer to the constitution for their favorite cause (first amendment freedom of speech) but then steamroll it for another (second amendment guns)? What’s up with that?!? Are they that secure? Would they be so quick to turn the backbone of the nation into a pick this and ignore that exercise if they knew that sooner or later their diametric opposite would have their turn? Why do we stomach their shenanigans?
Finally, as much as therapy as anything else, I decided to refer to the real thing. Alas, it turns out that a complete printout of the Constitution, which shouldn’t be a big deal, isn’t as forthcoming as you’d think.
When I finally found it I copied it. I’ll post it shortly. You don’t have to read it. (Though you should!) Just know that it’s there. It’s not in some empty suit’s law book. It’s pretty simple language, as if generations past intended it to be read by citizens and interpreted by reasonable people. This isn’t secret voodoo and we shouldn’t let it be treated as such.
When it is posted, I expect each of my readers to paint the whole damn thing, word for word, on the barn door in their backyard. I’m not about to see my Constitution buried in errata like the manual to an old car. Also, keep an eye out for Orwellian livestock with paintbrushes.