Have you read your state's Constitution?

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 11:54:52 -0500

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 11:55 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 11:55:58 -0500

Yes, I'm always reading something.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 23 at 2016 11:56 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 11:56:05 -0500

CDR Michael Goldschmidt I have not, but where can I find it?

Response by Craig Hatch made Jan 23 at 2016 12:03 PM

Craig Hatch — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 12:03:56 -0500

I am originally from Vermont, I have read the Vermont Constitution several times. I have not read the the Constitution of Texas; yet. But plan on as soon as I can get a copy to read.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 23 at 2016 12:07 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 12:07:22 -0500

I have and wish I hadn't. California's is one of the longest constitutions in the world and still no one pays any more attention to it than the US Constitution. Although it was written by citizens who distrusted elected officials, California's elected officials are among the most tyrannical in the nation. Then, just for fun, the citizens are constantly voting on referendums that become amendments to the California constitution until overturned by activist judges who have little regard for the will of the people. Given their propensity for electing Leftist politicians, I don't have much regard for them either. However, the irony is that these judges are also Leftists.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jan 23 at 2016 12:09 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 12:09:16 -0500

I live in Illinois. I read a version published last week, but it's already been revised by the Power Brokers (informally, awaiting adjudication in the state courts) three times.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 1:04 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 13:04:38 -0500

I have and what I've found has been enlightening. Interestingly enough, the left who says this isn't a Christian nation hasn't read a lot of the State Constitutions either. Had they read them, they would see a lot of Christian references. Now, I'm not a religious person, but i can't deny that this country was founded with Christianity in mind.

Virginia, 1776, Bill of Rights, Sec. 16 "That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other."
Texas, 1876, "Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution."
Connecticut, 1818, "The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy..."
South Carolina, 1778, "We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same."
New Hampshire, 1783, Part I., Art. V. "Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and reason; and no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession, sentiments, or persuasion; provided he doth not disturb the public peace or disturb others in their religious worship."
Vermont, 1793, Art. III "That all persons have a natural and unalienable right, to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences and understandings, as in their opinion shall be regulated by the word of God; and that no person ought to, or of right can be compelled to attend any religious worship, or erect or support any place of worship, or maintain any minister, contrary to the dictates of conscience, nor can any person be justly deprived or abridged of any civil right as a citizen, on account of religious sentiments, or peculia[r] mode of religious worship; and that no authority can, or ought to be vested in, or assumed by, any power whatever, that shall in any case interfere with, or in any manner control the rights of conscience, in the free exercise of religious worship. Nevertheless, every sect or denomination of christians ought to observe the sabbath or Lord's day, and keep up some sort of religious worship, which to them shall seem most agreeable to the revealed will of God."
Maryland, 1867, "We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty..."
et. al.

And even...
California, 1879, "We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution."
New York, 1938, "We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings..."

Response by PO1 Kerry French made Jan 23 at 2016 2:45 PM

PO1 Kerry French — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 14:45:48 -0500

Yes - and the Center for Self Governance has a course on state constitutions. Well worth the cost!! https://centerforselfgovernance.com/

Center for Self Governance

Center for Self Governance is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization dedicated to training citizens in applied civics.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 23 at 2016 6:26 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 18:26:53 -0500

I've read part of the Arizona Constitution but have never read the California or Michigan Constitutions (I was stationed in California when I was in and am originally from Michigan).

Like PVT James Strait said, now that you've shamed me into it I'll do a Google search and read it! :)

Response by SPC Duncan Koebrich made Jan 23 at 2016 8:03 PM

SPC Duncan Koebrich — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 20:03:03 -0500

Reading now, thank you for the post.
http://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/constitution-of-the-state-of-vermont/

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Jan 23 at 2016 8:46 PM

SSG Michael Scott — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 20:46:48 -0500

Ues, I have.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jan 24 at 2016 11:25 AM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 11:25:38 -0500

All 85K words and 480+ amendments.

Response by A1C Melissa Jackson made Jan 25 at 2016 5:29 AM

A1C Melissa Jackson — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 05:29:48 -0500

I have not.
However, i am up early because I can't sleep, so I guess as a citizen it is my duty to cruise over to the state website and check it out.

This is a great question, and I think it is incumbent on all of us to stay informed and keep up with what is going on in gov't (even if politics does not particularly appeal) because especially lately things have been sweeping back and forth between one radical to another. We need to keep up lest we become numb to all this and forget to take part and end up in an untenable situation as a nation.

PS: public service announcement: Get off your ass and VOTE!!!!!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 7:38 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 07:38:04 -0500

Yes. It is as important as the United States's Constitution! if you are that state resident. The states can do far more horrible things that you can imagine, until the states give up thier power and pass it on to the Federal ... then The Federal will the 48 times more horrible then each states :) lol

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jan 26 at 2016 2:58 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 14:58:36 -0500

Yes. However in Tennessee both the courts and the legislature have a history of totally ignoring it so it really doesn't mean much.