We The People

 

A monument, national flags, Anytime Fitness and Rancho Grande Mexican food... perfect

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.

So says the preamble of the Constitution. I read it on the back window of a passing pickup truck. Well actually, the sticker that stretched across the entire back window only said “We the People” in large curvy font, followed by a lot of tiny scribbles meant to imitate the remainder of the Constitution. As it passed, I had to think for a second what document it was that they were referencing. I won’t claim to have the Bill of Rights or the extensive remainder of the Constitution memorized but I understand the gist. I have since re-read them numerous times, and researched the meaning of a few articles, since I am of the belief that before I write about something, I need to at least read about it. 

Then again, I am not displaying a gigantic Constitution decal on my vehicle window everywhere I go, advertising my avid allegiance to these historic words. I am quite curious if the vehicle owner of the “We the People” bumper sticker can actually recite anything from the Constitution. I would be delighted to see the gentleman pull over to a street corner and enlighten us all with a detailed recitation of our rights and the proper balances of our three-pronged government. Forgive me if I am doubtful that they could give such a presentation. 

I have seen this decal flash by numerous times over the past few years on a variety of vehicles. Outside of a few purveyors of Jesus with the Ten Commandments on their minivan door, in all my travels, I have not seen any other infamous documents portrayed long form in the bumper sticker medium. Founding documents don’t typically make good bumper sticker material; often they are too long and don’t have much wit. I am curious what the owner of such a large decal is trying to say with such a traditional styled bumper sticker. 

I assume that they love America, though I am guessing they love a few articles of the Bill of Rights more than others. Not very many people are out hollering about their firm belief in the Third Amendment, which prevents soldiers from being housed or quartered in a private citizen's home without consent. That was a big deal when the Constitution was written. The early residents of America were pressed to provide beds and meals to passing English soldiers in need of shelter. Can you imagine the National Guard passing through and commandeering your spare bedroom and raiding your pantry? 

I jest at the mock seriousness of a gigantic Constitution bumper sticker, but I am glad that someone understands the importance of such a document. While it may not require the same jingoistic reverence paid to it by some, the Constitution should be more widely read and understood than it is. Some would argue that there is a massive amount of text in the document making it different to memorize. Then again, while a majority of Americans can only name one or two articles in the Bill of Rights, I reckon most have memorized the equivalent amount of text in the form of advertisements for car insurance, fast food or social media memes. 

We all have the capacity to remember the important things if we try to, and the Constitution really is important. It is the seminal founding document that granted Americans the freedom to do all the ridiculous stuff we do on a daily basis, like drive around in vehicles plastered with silly bumper stickers. So, as much as I snort every time I pass someone pompous enough to plaster “We the People” in gigantic font on their truck window, I also realize that there is an important message inside such a statement about appreciating our daily freedoms. I am not sure if that was the message that this bumper sticker was advertising, but that is the one I am choosing to take away.