David Pentecost
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish
justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.
Preamble Phrase
We the people of the
United States
In order to form a
more perfect union
Establish justice
Insure domestic
tranquility
Preamble Phrase
Why Picture was chosen
It is obvious that
these are figures of
people, but the only
distinguishing
characteristic is the
American flag. They
are truly American
people.
This image not only
shows a group of
stated unified in one
continent, but also
under one flag. The
boundaries of states
are present, but so is
the common national
bond.
The scale is a very
traditional
representation of
justice. In this
image, the justice is
American justice. I
the same tactic that
the “We the People”
image uses.
The idea of a child
being held up by an
adult is a great
representation of
peace and
tranquility.
David Pentecost
Provide for the
common defense
Promote the general
welfare
And secure the
blessing of liberty to
ourselves and our
posterity
Do ordain and
establish this
constitution of The
United States of
America
These soldiers,
displaying two
different
mannerisms
regarding military
power, demonstrate
strength and
obedience.
I thought this image
of a team working
together was a good
representation of
people working
together for a
common purpose.
Lady Liberty is on
display in all of her
glory: This is a
classic
representation of the
celebration of
freedom and
prosperousness.
This picture was
chosen because of its
“official” quality. It
portrays the
declaration in a way
that makes it seem as
if the founding
fathers just signed it.
David Pentecost
Any phrase from the Preamble to the Constitution could open the lines for
discussion that could go and on. The phrase that I find the most powerful is, “…to
form a more perfect union.” I wonder if there is a reason that this goal is mentioned
first and foremost among the other intentions of the Constitution. I think that
establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common
defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty and
posterity are the ingredients to a more perfect union. I am lead to believe that,
above all other things, that the goal of every American should be to further our
ability to stand together, united as one people, under one common purpose, and that
that purpose is to have the right to hold different beliefs, attitudes, and ways of life.
When I read the Preamble to the Constitution, I try to put myself in the shoes
of the person writing these words. It is one thing to grow up, as I have, in the
aftermath of the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World Wars. Of course I can
appreciate these words that form the foundation of the prosperous life that I lead, in
this illustrious, powerful nation. I wonder, though, what it must have been like to
hold these ideas and passions before the fight for independence had even begun,
knowing that you may have to defend them with your life. I wonder also how it must
have felt to defend these words with your life. Not that there aren’t many brave
individuals today that risk put their lives on the line to promote American justice,
but for the majority of Americans in the present, it is easy to say these words
without the reverence that they have been said with in the past. I try to hold onto
this ideal as I appreciate the literature that our nation is founded on.