How well do you know and understand the Constitution that we have sworn to preserve, protect, and defend?

2015-10-16T13:07:18-04:00

I suspect that members of the military know more about the Constitution and understand it better than those who have never served. But how well do you know and understand it? The Federalist Papers were written during the ratification process to explain the Constitution and help win approval from We the People. Hillsdale College has put together an excellent series presenting the Federalist Papers. It's understandable (not overly intellectualized) and the price is right... It's FREE! Even though I have long studied American History and have a law degree, I still learn something new every time I study more. This I highly recommend, especially to those who serve. How can we keep our oath if we don't understand the importance of that which we serve
http://online.hillsdale.edu/courses/federalist-papers/lecture-1/lecture

Federalist Lecture 1 - Hillsdale College Online CoursesLogin Details

Written following the Constitutional Convention of 1787, The Federalist Papers is the foremost American contribution to political thought. Originally published as newspaper essays in New York, they were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the penname Publius. The essays defended the merits of the Constitution as a necessary and good replacement for the Articles of Confederation, which had proven defective as a...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-10-16T13:30:21-04:00

CPT Jack Durish You probably know this but I thought I'd give some background info....Regarding the NATIONAL debate about adopting what is now our Constitution.

The Federalist papers as they are called were letters or essays if you will that were published because people didn't support the Constitution and were an effort to win over people. They urged the people of New York to ratify the new Constitution. The new Constitution was to replace the Articles of Confederation. It was agreed the new Constitution would become effective if 9 of the 13 states ratified it. These letters were not the only letters sent to papers either in support of or condemning the new Constitution. Those who opposed the new Constitution did so because they believed a 'Central government' would override state's rights and take away individual liberties. Those who supported the adoption of the new Constitution that this new Constitution and proposed system (form of government) would provide the government with the power to act in National Interests for the best interest of the Union and would prevent the Union from falling apart.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 16 at 2015 1:36 PM

2015-10-16T13:36:22-04:00

I've read it a few times, and was pretty sure I understood it. Lately it seems like the words written down are highly subject to interpretation. We tend to argue a lot over what they "meant", giving people license to ignore the actual words in the document. Popular culture wants to put words in our founding fathers collective mouths...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 16 at 2015 2:17 PM

2015-10-16T14:17:51-04:00

I am very familiar with the US Constitution and try to convince others about its importance and timeless value while work to preserve, protect and if necessary defend the Constitution of the USA CPT Jack Durish.
Thankyou for both recommending and providing a hyperlink to the Hillsdale College online course.
For a year or so I attended monthly meeting of a Constitutional Study group. THe group was one of several in Northern Virginia which had been initiated by Justice Clarence Thomas's wife Virginia Thomas years before. It was attended by government, legal, college professor, and ordinary people as we worked through the constitution with frequent subject matter experts providing background on relevant sections.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Oct 16 at 2015 3:10 PM

2015-10-16T15:10:19-04:00

I think I understand it far better than most but that's mainly because I understand the natural rights philosophy on which it is based. It seems like we no longer teach Locke, Paine's 'Common Sense', the Federalist Papers or a whole slew of other writings of the Founders and the philosophers they embraced. That ignorance is the problem.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 12:03 AM

2016-03-22T00:03:15-04:00

Yes! Hillsdale college represents the spirit of our Nation stating our most two important documents are the Bible and the Constitution.
Our nation is so disrupted with distorting doctrines of faith, law, and a divide of our governmental institutions and in the houses of God who claim they represent the doctrines of Jesus Chirst.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2019 9:10 AM

2019-04-21T09:10:37-04:00

Thanks! I was interested in the Federalist papers when in high school, and when you look at the responsibilities of the President and Congress, there are a lot of details missing in the Constitution that have been decided over many decades in the Supreme Court.
I was wondering about whether a President can give no funds to an agency that Congress established, so I found lots of detail in discussion of the Supreme Court talking about the Federalist Papers, mostly differences between Jefferson, Hamilton and Madison.
See https://constitution.findlaw.com/article2/annotation01.html#5
and https://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/constitution#essay-68
To keep a democracy strong people need to get off their rear once in a while and read reliable information rather than just what they hear from their friends or one radio or TV station. No political party has a monopoly on uninformed voters or even legislators!
Dan

Annotation 1 - Article II - FindLaw

 Section 1. The President Clause 1. Powers and Term of the President NATURE AND SCOPE OF PRESIDENTIAL POWER  Creation of the Presidency Of all

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Apr 21 at 2019 10:37 AM

2019-04-21T10:37:59-04:00

Our Constitution was written is such a manner as to allow "We the people" to make changes through amendments. However, I am not so sure the founders had full comprehension of how large we would grow, nor how divided we are. I cannot believe they would have conceived our modern world, with the Internet (addressing the 1st Amendment) the types of weapons man would develop (addressing the 2nd), our huge crime problems (4th, 5th, 6th, & 8th) and so on.
When we had a small nation, it was much easier to amend the Constitution. Now, it is almost impossible because of our divisions.
I believe out Constitution is the greatest document ever written. But it must be looked at in today's world, not 1787. (Even then it was not unanimously agreed upon).

Response by SPC Jimmy Rooks I made Apr 21 at 2019 3:45 PM

2019-04-21T15:45:17-04:00

Bet I can make ANY retarded Leftist cry in a contest on Constitutional knowledge?!

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 21 at 2019 11:51 PM

2019-04-21T23:51:50-04:00

Well enough to know why the constitution (Protect and Defend) comes before any other directions or Leaders