In the 1780’s, America was run by the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States of America. It did not have a president and did not have the power to tax. This plan did not give the National Congress enough power. A new plan was needed and a convention was called. Then in 1787 James Madison wrote the U.S Constitution. It was ratified in 1789; fully ratified by all 13 states in 1791. The Anti-Federalists insisted upon 10 amendments know as the Bill of Rights. The US Constitution came to be known the strongest and flexible law in the land.

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In the preamble of the US Constitution it states the purpose of our government

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure 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.”

To promote the general welfare. What is welfare to you? Welfare has both a negative and positive connotation. Its ironic when being on welfare means that you are not well off in life, when the meaning is supposed to be the opposite. I see “promote the general welfare” as a positive statement; To help out one another in our struggles.

We say to promote the general welfare when many are struggling to survive. You see a homeless person out on the street begging for money; what do you do? Many just walk past, some drop change. Most are selfish and don’t think twice about helping complete strangers. Some think homeless people just use the money for alcohol and drugs. As a society we need to come together and help each other out. We are all in the same place, sharing a similar goal; to be successful and happy in life.

My parents worked hard to provide for our family and keep it stable. I haven’t had any issues with welfare my whole life; which is a blessing. But I understand its very hard to make a living in the United States; I’ve had many encounters with friends who are struggling, homeless people, and people who just don’t have enough. The preamble reminds us that as US citizens, when it comes to promoting the general welfare we are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Awareness of fellow citizens is essential in knowing the difference.