Our Constitution. Can we do more?

For what purpose... to what end? The constitution is more readily available now...in todays day and age then ever before. People simply choose not to read it. I'm guessing you have read some of it...talk about some dry/put you to sleep reading.

see this:

Why You Need to Know the U.S. Constitution
by Dave Meyer - posted February 15, 2010
When you buy something, like a new car or a refrigerator, an instruction or owner's manual comes with it. Do you read it? If not, how would you know for sure what you bought will work the way it was intended? In order to receive its full benefits, better understand its functions, and know how to maintain and preserve it, reading the instruction manual of something you own would greatly benefit you.
The United States has two owner manuals: The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. As Americans, we are the owners. It's our duty and privilege to know what each "manual" says and understand its purpose, particularly the Constitution.
The Constitution shows us how we the people are to be responsible to maintain what we have inherited as a result of their sacrifice

read the entire passage at:

https://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/america.aspx?article=why_you_need_to_know_constitution

and see

http://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm

Edited by cemab4y - March/31/2015 at 6:04pm

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be... The people cannot be safe without information. Where the press is free and every man is able to read, all is safe."
-Thomas Jefferson

I also feel that the American people do not know enough about their government. Do they wish to remain ignorant? Possibly. Can they remain both ignorant and free. No, they cannot.

I am an engineer, not a teacher, and certainly not a marketing specialist. Is there a way to stoke the thirst of the American people, to make them want to learn the intricacies of their democracy? I do not know.

However, the great actor and Freemason, Richard Dreyfuss, has put up several millions of his own money, to begin the "Dreyfuss Initiative".

see:

http://www.thedreyfussinitiative.org

This is a program to increase the study of civics and government in the US public high schools.

Edited by cemab4y - January/29/2015 at 6:01pm

I like where you are coming from in terms of the goal, but I would say you might have more luck with quality than quantity.  Like, just handing out constitutions etc seems like most people would just ignore it.  But maybe instead you focus on the class idea you have, and you make it less general but more mmm specific to what people are going through?

Like, instead of a history class on the constitution, maybe a class on the local newspapers in the town, and you kind of work the first amendment in as part of the larger lecture?  Or instead of a US history class (and im a huge history fan), a lecture on hidden facts about the founding fathers people might not have learned in elementary school?  Or say revolutionary war history in your own town (if you live in on the east coast).


Share the knowledge esentially, but instead of giving it in one overwhelming lump, give it piece by piece on topics people know they are interested in already.  They might not attend a constitutional history class, but they might be willing to learn something about the constitution in a class they are *already* eager for/a topic they connect to.  And that way you kind of show to them how this stuff is still relevant to our every day lives.

The Grand Lodge od CA requires us to have a Constitutional observance once a year. It is open to the public.

Hello everyone! Long time no see. Caution1010 told me of the discussion going on here and I wanted to add my 2 cents.

In Alabama we have "The Masonic Americanism Project". This organization delivers booklets that contain The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence to students in Madison County, AL and we make them available for sale to other lodges in and out of our state (don't worry, I'm not trying to sell you some booklets).

In fact, the reason I bring that up is to let you know our reasoning for distributing The Constitution. Several of the concerns about the effectiveness of such an endeavor are listed in this thread and they're all very good points. In my lodge the concern about whether or not kids are just throwing these booklets in the trash was raised. One brother countered by saying "Well, we deliver to 5,500 students each year. If we manage to change the life of only one or two of them isn't it worth it?" But there's also a benefit to Masonry not mentioned here in this thread. Several of the lodges that distribute these books do so in person and in full masonic regalia and personally give the booklets to the students in the classroom. This means that Masons doing this work have an opportunity to interface with the public in a very positive way and this has the potential of making a lasting impression on the students and faculty themselves.

The Masonic Americanism Project has delivered booklets in our community and state since 1999 and I have personally spoke with many masons and non-masons who received the books when they were in school. Many still had the books and all of them had something very positive to say about it.

Sadly, our organization is fizzling out due to a lack of interest but I wanted to post here to encourage this idea and make myself available if you have any questions about how to go about getting a project like this started (i.e. what sort of costs you're looking at, fundraising tips, tips for distribution, etc). Our website is www.tmapusa.org It may give you some examples or ideas if you decide to start a project like this.