The National Constitution Center.org

Every voting citizen, must become proficient in our system of governance.

Screenshot of the “about” page from the National Constitution Center

This is just a short TAT and will serve as a reference to a website, that I visit quite often. The National Constitution Center, which is rated, “least biased.”

In our modern political era, of zero-sum conflict between mostly left vs. right proponents, it has become critically important for me to revisit our founders and their intentions for our nation. In my professional opinion, some of the actions by today’s extremist GOP and even some fringe, albeit very small elements on the other side of the aisle are far outside the realm of constitutional, despite the impassioned shouts of “patriotism.” Even our activist SCOTUS seems to be eroding the scholarship of our founders. This website is always my first stop in trying to better understand the implications of today’s headlines.

Although all political parties in US history have periods that pursued a winning at all costs attitude, citizens need a place to reconnect with the collective brilliance and philosophies of our founders. In my case, I particularly study Madison who is largely considered the “father of our constitution.” Yes, as the phrase goes, “there are many fathers to this extraordinary document.” Still Madison was the preeminent scholar of representative government or in other words, our system of government.

With this said, I highly recommend this site. Not only is there access to critical documents but the writing is impartial politically and as far as I can tell, an accurate representation of our founder’s opinions and philosophies.

Here is an example that I believe, well expresses my thoughts on the writing:

Lessons for the present

Madison’s desire for impartiality in interpretation now seems a lost fantasy of innocence from another constitutional age. True, much of the legal work that modern judges and justices perform reliably depends on precedent, doctrine, and professional competence. The judiciary as a whole is hardly running amok. But when one leaves the well-ploughed fields of ordinary law to tramp the cratered terrain of constitutional interpretation, our confidence in judicial independence evaporates. The ever-escalating crisis of judicial appointments—a one-way ratchet of politicization—makes Madison’s belief that tenure during good behavior would secure judicial independence and impartiality appear delusional.

- James Madison and Judicial Power
- By Jack Rakove[1], William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American     Studies and professor of political science and (by courtesy) law at Stanford University

As I often say in one form or another, a well and accurately informed citizenry is the most important element of our national security and more importantly, the guarantor of our American republic.

My very best for everyone’s Thursday,

Paul