Constitutional scholars only! (legal, independent, fence, Maryland)

[legalsea]

My question is simple.

What does this, the very first sentence of the Constitution of the United States of American, mean?

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Me again: recall that our Nation first formed under the Articles of Confederation, which gave the States more power than the Central Government.

However, it proved, in a short period, unworkable. Hence the statement “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more ‘perfect’ Union’ (etc). Our Founding Fathers then established a new Constitution that gave MORE power to the Federal government.

However, I am focusing on one particular part: ‘promote the general Welfare’. What do you think that means?

[KevK]

Originally Posted by legalsea

My question is simple.

What does this, the very first sentence of the Constitution of the United States of American, mean?

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Me again: recall that our Nation first formed under the Articles of Confederation, which gave the States more power than the Central Government.

However, it proved, in a short period, unworkable. Hence the statement “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more ‘perfect’ Union’ (etc). Our Founding Fathers then established a new Constitution that gave MORE power to the Federal government.

However, I am focusing on one particular part: ‘promote the general Welfare’. What do you think that means?

That means that the government should have programs to promote the safety, health and rights of the citizens. Not really what we think of when we hear "welfare" as it is used today - like "Miss Smith is on welfare" but the general well being of the citizenry.

[Randomstudent]

I think it's meant to be a list of objectives for the rest of the document to attempt to accomplish.

[legalsea]

Originally Posted by KevK

That means that the government should have programs to promote the safety, health and rights of the citizens. Not really what we think of when we hear "welfare" as it is used today - like "Miss Smith is on welfare" but the general well being of the citizenry.

Hmm. Health?

I agree that the Founding Fathers would have had no idea of 'welfare' as we think of it today.

Still, pretty 'liberal' of them.

[Glitch]

The preamble of the US Constitution is suppose to be a summation of the entire document. It conveys no powers or limitations, although the Supreme Court has often referred to it as evidence of the origin, scope, and purpose of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court has read the preamble as bearing witness to the fact that the Constitution emanated from the people and was not the act of sovereign and independent States. See:

• McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. (4 Wheat.) 316, 403 (1819);
• Chisholm v. Georgia, 2 U.S. (2 Dall.) 419, 471 (1793); and
• Martin v. Hunter's Lessee, 14 U.S. (1 Wheat.) 304, 324 (1816).

The preamble was further used by the Supreme Court to denote that the US Constitution was made for, and is binding only in, the US. See Downes v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 244, 251 (1901); In re Ross, 140 U.S. 453, 464 (1891).

[BentBow]

To understand the exact meaning, you have to understand the man that wrote it.

I doubt you know very little about the man that wrote that sentence.

[legalsea]

Originally Posted by BentBow

To understand the exact meaning, you have to understand the man that wrote it.

I doubt you know very little about the man that wrote that sentence.

You are correct! If the patient person would actually read what this person said, you will see what he means.

[legalsea]

Originally Posted by Glitch

The preamble of the US Constitution is suppose to be a summation of the entire document. It conveys no powers or limitations, although the Supreme Court has often referred to it as evidence of the origin, scope, and purpose of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court has read the preamble as bearing witness to the fact that the Constitution emanated from the people and was not the act of sovereign and independent States. See:

• McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. (4 Wheat.) 316, 403 (1819);
• Chisholm v. Georgia, 2 U.S. (2 Dall.) 419, 471 (1793); and
• Martin v. Hunter's Lessee, 14 U.S. (1 Wheat.) 304, 324 (1816).

The preamble was further used by the Supreme Court to denote that the US Constitution was made for, and is binding only in, the US. See Downes v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 244, 251 (1901); In re Ross, 140 U.S. 453, 464 (1891).

I thank you for the citations (which I have not followed).

I agree, that the 'preamble' is suppose to indicate 'how' one reads the Constitution. It is almost like the Founding Fathers said "When in doubt, go back to out Preamble, to see how to interprete clauses".

[legalsea]

For anyone else whom may post tonight: It is 10 p.m. here in Fort Worth, so I am off to bed. I work.

[BentBow]

Originally Posted by legalsea

You are correct! If the patient person would actually read what this person said, you will see what he means.

That is not what I said.

Do you know the character of the author?
Do words have the same meaning now, as they did then in the Kings English?