Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

The fourth of July has come and gone. July 4, 1776 is the day that The Declaration of Independence was signed by the Continental Congress. The name of the holiday is Independence Day. This group of men knew that attaching their names to this letter could mean the loss of everything including their lives.

Let’s look at the highlights of this document. It begins with why the thirteen colonies needed to separate themselves from Britain. The first reason is the fact that we all should have life, liberty, and the right to pursue our own happiness. The government can be replaced when it fails to do its job.

There is a long list of violations of these rights. They end the statement of abuse by pledging lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the fight for these rights. After the war was finished in the favor of the colonies they attempted to survive alone and realized that they needed to remain working as one unit.

They were attempting to do something that had never been done before. Each of these thirteen governments knew they could be picked off one at a time by the Brits or some other country.

The Constitutional Convention was formed, and a new organization is devised to join these separate governments under one umbrella. Something they all wanted to do was maintain the ability to make certain laws for themselves. These were referred to as State’s Rights.

The name the United States of America was intended to show this arrangement. When you read our Constitution, you will see that many compromises were made to satisfy the individual purposes of states or other groups. The three branches of the Federal Government were created to solve perceived problems with other national forms of governing.

The President, who is the chief executive, has the final say before a law can become effective. Congress and the Senate can overturn a veto. The number of votes to do this is more than those needed to pass the bill the first time.

The legislature, congress and senate, are responsible for passing the bills that become laws. The president can recommend laws as can individual members. Committees look at these and make changes or prevent these bills from being voted on. Congress represents a member from groups that are similar in population. Each state has only two Senators. This was a compromise. What happens when these two branches attempt to violate the Constitution?

That is the job of the Supreme Court. They are the watchdog of our three-tier system. Nine judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. These men and women have no authority to do anything except determine the constitutionality of what the State governments, the Congress, and the President does. If they step out of line the President and congress can replace those who have violated their responsibility to interpret the constitution. This only happens when they die or resign.

You may have two more opportunities to celebrate the independence we enjoy in these states united into one nation. In Missouri, we will have our primary election in August. We all will vote for congressional representatives, one-third of the Senators, and many state and local candidates. Don’t forget to get out and vote.

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger