Do you ever pause for a moment to reflect on the awesome and abundant blessings we enjoy in the United States of America? The liberty, peace, and prosperity that surround us are but a dream in many parts of the world.

This heritage has been purchased with the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of millions who have gone before. May we do our part to preserve the great legacy of liberty we have been given! 

"To Be American" is a beautiful and inspiring song about our noble heritage. Hope you enjoy it!!

To Be American

Our Fathers fought the fight that gave us liberty,
Our Mothers sewed the flags that wave for you and me.
Their sons and daughters pay a price to keep us free,
A price that all must pay to save this country.

America, America
a land of liberty, a land of opportunity.
America, America
a land where freedom rings,
a land where children sing, of blessings that it brings,
to be American.

Those who've gone before us worked to make this country grand,
built the bridges, paved the roads, and farmed the land.
We the People need to give more than we take,
it takes toil and work to make a country great.

America, America
a land of liberty, a land of opportunity.
America, America 
A land where freedom rings,
a land where children sing, of blessings that it brings,
to be American.

America, America
the greatest land on earth.
America, America
where some come to work, with nothing to lose
and others to worship, how they choose.

Our Founding Fathers built a nation under God,
that we might worship Him and spread His word abroad.
The Lord has promised we shall prosper in this land,
if we will tread His ways, and follow His commands.

America, America
a land of liberty, a land of opportunity.
America, America 
a land where freedom rings, a land where children sing, 
of blessings that it brings,
to be American.

TO BE AMERICAN!

We celebrate Constitution Day on September 17th, the day the members of the Constitutional Convention ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1787.  

It's a great opportunity to learn about the Constitution and study the principles of government that have created unprecedented liberty, peace, and prosperity for millions of Americans.

Here are a few ideas and resources to help you make the most of Constitution Day.  Some families like to celebrate "Constitution Week" or "Constitution Month" so they have more time to learn about this important foundation of our freedom.

Ideas for Your Celebration

Read the Constitution  
Read the United States Constitution.  Discuss what a revolutionary document it is and why it is so important to preserve it. 

Memorize Something about the Constitution
As a family, learn the Preamble.  Some families like to learn it by singing the words.  Or you could memorize an inspirational quote about the Constitution. 

Learn about How the Constitution was Created
Watch Founding Brothers.  Talk about the inspiring story of the birth of our constitutional republic.

Or you could watch Prayer and the Miracle in Philadelphia and explain that after much study, work, and discussion, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were unable to create and agree on a constitution until they asked for, and received, help from God.

Talk about Your Heritage
Share your feelings about the blessings and responsibilities of being a citizen of the United States of America.  Tell stories about your heritage.

Consider What You Can Do
Perhaps one of the most significant things you can do is to consider what you and your family can to do to protect and preserve the Constitution, then create a written plan, and begin to take action.  

Enjoy Patriotic Music
Play inspiring patriotic music.  Sing some of your favorite patriotic songs.   

Serve Refreshments
After a lesson, video, or activity, you could serve fun patriotic refreshments.

David McCullough on the History of the Constitution

Resources to Learn About the Constitution

The United States Constitution   

Timeline of the Constitution   

Inspirational Quotes About the Constitution   

The Preamble Set to Music   (three minute video)

The History of the Constitutional Convention   (31 podcast episodes of varying lengths)
Remarkable history of the miraculous, and tumultuous, Constitutional Convention.

Founding Brothers   (90 minute video)
Story of the birth of our constitutional republic.

We the People  (one minute video)
Inspiring short video honoring the Constitution.

We Still Hold These Truths   (20 minute video)
Principles that make America great.

We Still Hold These Truths   
Leaders' guide about the principles that make America great (goes with book by the same name).  

The Patriot’s Guide: What You Can Do for Your Country   
PDF from the Heritage Foundation with ways you can make a difference

Consource.org
Online library of constitutional history and resources.


Hillsdale College: Introduction to the Constitution

• The Declaration and the Constitution  (33:12)
  
• Representative Government  (32:11)
  
• Separation of Powers and Limited Gov't.  (29:45)
  
• Bureaucratic versus Constitutional Gov't.  (29:54)
  
• Conclusion  (48:15)

Freedom Project: Principles of the Constitution

• Preamble  (9:41)
  
• Limited Government  (8:02)
  
• Legislative Powers and Limitations  (7:23)
  
• Executive Powers and Limitations  (9:43)
  
• Judicial Powers and Limitations  (10:18)
  
• Bill of Rights, Part 1  (9:30)
  
• Bill of Rights, Part 2  (8:35)
  
• Amendments 11-18  (6:57)
  
• Amendments  19-27  (7:30)

September 17th is Constitution Day and the 17th through the 23rd is Constitution Week. 

It is the time we are to turn more attention to the miracle that we call America. In fact, federal law requires that the Constitution be celebrated and taught in our nation’s schools more intently during Constitution Week. 

Many of our state constitutions include words similar to: “A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is essential to the security of individual rights and the perpetuity of free government.”

In our Making of America seminars we remind citizens that, since the Constitution of the United States was ratified, we have made more human progress in 200 years than mankind made in all of the previous 5000 years combined. 

The Founders did not consider this a coincidence. To them it was a great latter-day marvel, one in which Providence played a key role in advancing freedom and the protection of the rights of mankind not only in America but throughout the entire world. John Adams said it this way:

"I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in Providence for the illumination of the ignorant, and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth."

Historian John Fiske emphasizes the Founders’ feelings that America has special purpose:

"They believed that they were doing a wonderful thing. They felt themselves to be instruments in accomplishing a kind of "manifest destiny." Their exodus [from Europe] was that of a chosen people who were at length to lay the everlasting foundations of God's kingdom upon earth.... This steadfast faith in an unseen ruler and guide was to them a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. It was of great moral value. It gave them clearness of purpose and concentration of strength, and contributed towards making them, like the children of Israel, a people of indestructible vitality and aggressive energy."

A special gift given to modern man to spread the message of freedom

Could we not say, with the Founders, that if it is the will of Providence that His children be free, He surely would help provide a way for the freedom message to be spread? No longer do we need to take days, weeks, and even months to communicate messages to our fellow Americans or even to the world. Information, teachings, messages, and testimonials today are sent instantaneously throughout the world. Can it not be said that these tools have been given us by the Creator to help spread His message of freedom faster than ever before? Does there not seem to be an urgency in us to hasten the work of teaching freedom to mankind?

And best of all, we do not need to go down to the public square to proclaim our message to perhaps hundreds of people. We can now and individually reach thousands and we can do it right in the comfort of our home!

An invitation to use social media to flood the world with short freedom messages

Here are quotes from the Founding Fathers and others concerning the creation and purpose of the Constitution of the United States (with emphasis added in places). We invite and urge you to copy and paste these in your messages through texts, emails, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and any other electronic media you might use. A short quote is quickly read and may have a powerful effect on the mind of one who has not been exposed to the freedom message before. It is a way all can participate in spreading the Founders’ message of freedom which seems to have been lost in the shuffle nowadays. Let’s make freedom the talk of social media especially during Constitution Week!

George Washington: "It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the delegates from so many different states (which states you know are also different from each other, in their manners, circumstances, and prejudices) should unite in forming a system of national government."

James Madison (on the Constitutional Convention of 1787): "…impossible to consider the degree of concord which ultimately prevailed as less than a miracle."

John Adams: "I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in Providence for the illumination of the ignorant, and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth."

George Washington:  “A primary object…should be the education of our youth in the science of government.  In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing…than…communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?”

George Washington: “We may, with a kind of pious and grateful exultation, trace the fingers of Providence through those dark and mysterious events which first induced the states to appoint a general convention, and then led them one after another…into an adoption of the system recommended by that general convention, thereby, in all human probability, laying a lasting foundation for tranquility and happiness, when we had but too much reason to fear that confusion and misery were coming rapidly upon us.  That the same good Providence may still continue to protect us, and prevent us from dashing the cup of national felicity just as it has been lifted to our lips, is [my] earnest prayer.”

George Washington: “The power under the Constitution will always be in the people.  It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their servants can and undoubtedly will be recalled.”

Thomas Jefferson:  “We in America do not have government by the majority—we have government by the majority who participate….  All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”

Thomas Jefferson: "The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the states are independent as to everything within themselves, and united as to everything respecting foreign nations. Let the general government be reduced to foreign concerns only, and let our affairs be disentangled from those of all other nations, except as to commerce, which the merchants will manage the better, the more they are left free to manage for themselves, and our general government may be reduced to a very simple organization, and a very inexpensive one; a few plain duties to be performed by a few servants."

James Madison:  “A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.”

James Madison:  “To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people is a chimerical idea.”

James Madison: "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former [federal powers] will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce.... The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State."

John Adams:  “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

John Adams: "No man will contend that a nation can be free that is not governed by fixed laws. All other government than that of permanent known laws is the government of mere will and pleasure."

Benjamin Franklin:  “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.   As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”

Samuel Adams:  “The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall we both deserve and enjoy it.  While, on the other hand, if we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be the most abject slaves.”

Joseph Story (18th member of the Supreme Court) said of the Constitution: “The structure has been erected by architects of consummate skill and fidelity; its foundations are solid, its compartments are beautiful, as well as useful; its arrangements are full of wisdom and order and its defenses are impregnable from without.  It has been reared for immortality, if the work of man may greatly aspire to such a title.  It may, nevertheless, perish in an hour by the folly, and corruption or negligence of its only keepers, the people.  Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit and intelligence of the citizens.  They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest and the profligates are rewarded because they flatter the people in order to betray them.”

Daniel Webster: “It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions….  There are men, in all ages…who mean to govern well; but they mean to govern.  They promise to be kind masters; but they mean to be masters….  They think there need be but little restraint upon themselves….  The love of power may sink too deep in their own hearts….Hold on, my friends to the constitution and to the republic for which it stands.  Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened once in 6000 years, may not happen again.  Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world." 

Daniel Webster: “Other misfortunes may be borne, or their effects overcome. If disastrous war should sweep our commerce from the ocean, another generation may renew it; if it exhaust our treasury, future industry may replenish it; if it desolate and lay waste our fields, still, under a new cultivation, they will grow green again, and ripen to future harvests. It were but a trifle even if the walls of yonder Capitol were to crumble, if its lofty pillars should fall, and its gorgeous decorations be all covered by the dust of the valley. All these might be rebuilt. But who shall reconstruct the fabric of demolished government? Who shall rear again the well-proportioned columns of constitutional liberty? Who shall frame together the skillful architecture which unites national sovereignty with State rights, individual security, and public prosperity? No, if these columns fall, they will be raised not again. Like the Coliseum and the Parthenon, they will be destined to a mournful, a melancholy immortality. Bitterer tears, however, will flow over them, than were ever shed over the monuments of Roman or Grecian art; for they will be the remnants of a more glorious edifice than Greece or Rome ever saw, the edifice of constitutional American liberty.”

Thomas Jefferson: "We owe every other sacrifice to ourselves, to our federal brethren, and to the world at large, to pursue with temper and perseverance the great experiment which shall prove that man is capable of living in society, governing itself by laws self-imposed, and securing to its members the enjoyment of life, liberty, property, and peace; and further to show, that even when the government of its choice shall manifest a tendency to degeneracy, we are not at once to despair, but that the will and the watchfulness of its sounder parts will reform its aberrations, recall it to original and legitimate principles, and restrain it within the rightful limits of self-government."

Alexis de Tocqueville: "For sixty years the [American] people ... have increased in opulence; and -- consider it well -- it is found to have been, during that period, not only the most prosperous, but the most stable of all the nations of the earth.... Where else could we find greater causes of hope, or more instructive lessons? Let us look to America, not in order to make a servile copy of the institutions that she has established, but to gain a clearer view of the polity that will be the best for us.... The laws of the French republic may be, and ought to be in many cases, different from those which govern the United States; but the principles on which the American constitutions rest, those principles of order, of the balance of powers, of true liberty, of deep and sincere respect for right, are indispensable to all republics."

William Pitt (the great leader in Parliament) said of the U.S. Constitution: "It will be the wonder and admiration of all future generations, and the model of all future constitutions."

William E. Gladstone (the prime minister of England) said of the U. S. Constitution: "It is the greatest piece of work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man."

Sir John A. Macdonald the (first prime minister of Canada) said of the U. S. Constitution:: "I think and believe that it is one of the most perfect organizations that ever governed a free people.”

Samuel Langdon: "On the people, therefore, of these United States, it depends whether wise men, or fools, good or bad men, shall govern.... Therefore, I will now lift up my voice and cry aloud to the people.... From year to year be careful in the choice of your representatives and the higher powers [offices] of government. Fix your eyes upon men of good understanding and known honesty; men of knowledge, improved by experience; men who fear God and hate covetousness; who love truth and righteousness, and sincerely wish for the public welfare.... Let not men openly irreligious and immoral become your legislators.... If the legislative body are corrupt, you will soon have bad men for counselors, corrupt judges, unqualified justices, and officers in every department who will dishonor their stations.... Never give countenance to turbulent men, who wish to distinguish themselves and rise to power by forming combinations and exciting insurrections against government.... I call upon you also to support schools in your towns.... It is a debt you owe to your children."

An additional bonus to spread to your internet friends:

Take our free course on the Constitution! Do the following:

1. Download or order your copy of our Proclaim Liberty Discussion Guide.
2. Watch the discussion videos of Proclaim Liberty on our website.
3. Enjoy the most interesting and engaging course on the Constitution you will ever hear!

Let’s “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.”

For many Americans, September 11, 2001 is a day we will never forget.  

The brutal attacks that took the lives of 2,977 Americans, and created lasting loss and injury for thousands more, transformed our country. 

 But by September 12th, shock and horror were being replaced with increased faith, patriotism, goodness, and resolve to defend our country and our God-given rights.

Here is a link to resources that help us remember and teach our children about 9/11:   Remembering September 11.  

Below is a tribute to Rick Rescorla, the hero who saved the lives of 2,700 people on 9/11.

We’re doing it wrong.  Mr. Franklin’s republic is slipping from our grasp.

Liberty activists who are hoping for a November wave election to rebuke big government progressives and turn things around, pointing us to a happy, small government future are sailing on a doomed ship. 

Electing “the right” politicians is necessary, but overrated.  Government’s tentacles will keep growing and squeezing tighter unless citizens up our efforts and bring new skills and weapons to the fight. 

Long, painful experience should have taught conservatives something crucial: The fight doesn’t end in November; it begins in November, for several reasons. First, politicians tend to disappoint. Most big talking, small government candidates go wobbly faster than a Weeble on the San Andreas Fault. There aren’t enough serious, smart, prepared electeds to make up the difference. But most critically, lawmakers are becoming less powerful than bureaucrats and regulators.There’s been a decades long shift of power away from legislatures toward the regulators and bureaucrats who fill executive branch offices and agencies. 

This trend prevails from Washington DC to city halls across the nation. The IRS, EPA, and other agencies show their dripping disdain for fair play with ordinary people and businesses. Equally troubling, they exude contempt for Congress and its efforts to oversee and rein in their abuses. It’s similar locally, where city managers and staffs, district superintendents and curriculum specialists, all exercise far more control over city and school activities than do the citizens who are elected and nominally empowered to steer the ship.

The wheels of government never stop turning. Important decisions affecting our lives, opportunities, and choices are made by career public employees who aren’t very interested in seeking out their subjects’ opinions. This problem, though, also creates an opportunity for activists to get more directly involved in self-government in order to check the bureaucracy and also help improve electoral politics at the same time. Agency actions generally happen in an administrative process with rules that provide for public comment. There are lots of chances for people to speak directly to their government to support or oppose policies.

Most days of most weeks, there are regulatory rule-making hearings to flesh out and implement new laws, school board meetings, city and county board meetings, open public comment on proposed federal rules and regulations, and legislative hearings on proposed bills. (The need to lobby government to be sure includes the need to lobby legislators on the bills they consider). Virtually all such proceedings invite public input. It’s critical for more active citizens to think beyond parties, candidates and campaigns, and to jump into the grinding gears of government in motion. 

Voices from the self-interested public class are always there, pushing policy and tax dollars in a public-heavy direction. Regulators need to hear more input from citizens as tax payers, parents, small business owners, recreationists, property owners, energy consumers, gun owners. Liberty activists need to look past the November sweepstakes and stay in the fight year round.

Raising the volume of a voice for liberty in the workings of the bureaucracy has important implications and also promises beneficial political effects.  Activists will have to expand their vision from hitting the phone banks and knocking doors for candidates, to becoming more engaged in the issues they know and care about. This will also require serious grass roots organizing to help promote greater direct involvement, and to train people in the needful skills. 

Such a movement would find and cultivate effective advocates to jump into the fray: 

• To testify at committee hearings
  
• Answer questions knowledgeably
  
• Make clear and strong points in a 3-minute public comment forum
  
• Or write persuasive letters or position statements.
  

More hands-on involvement with government and a louder voice for liberty would have several healthy effects: It frees activists from the constraints of partisan politics. A plumber testifying against a misguided plumbing rule participates as an expert, an affected worker or owner, not as a partisan cheerleader. Likewise, citizens pushing for sound policy at regulatory and legislative hearings help keep their elected officials accountable and under healthy pressure to stick with their campaign values instead of throwing in with the insider, go along crowd. 

There is peer pressure on party activists to support the party team. When the Mayberry Republican Association visits the state capitol, it is a dedicated promotional organization—our team against theirs. And that’s how officials receive its input. But when Jane Business Owner or Joe Parent visit the capitol, they are there as citizens concerned about specific issues. 

Focusing on policy issues over party solidarity makes it easier to invite other voices for liberty to join the effort, because it’s more comfortable to ask friends and colleagues to speak up for common interests and specific purposes they care about. It’s not an invitation to become a true blue Republican, but to talk common sense relating to public issues. The invitation is to fishing buddies, fellow doctors, landscape workers, roofers, financial counselors, to speak up on a matter that affects them.

To be clear, this is not an argument to ignore party affiliation during election season. As Denver radio host and columnist Mike Rosen points out, the majority party controls the agenda and what bills get passed. Rather, I’m arguing that in addition to effective partisan politics in November, liberty activists need to engage the government in its house on the issues they care about the rest of the year. We’ve fallen short compared to Team Government and the Left. 

There’s every hope Republican--with many conservatives--will enjoy a strong election. After that, bureaucracies from Washington to Peoria will do their best to ignore citizen resistance and continue feeding the government beast. Winning that battle will take skilled citizens who care, prepare, and show up for the fight. 

Looking for some fun Labor Day activities?  Here are a few ideas.  Simple activities can be meaningful, and become pleasant traditions for your family to share and remember.


Enjoy a Red, White, and Blue Meal

Celebrate Labor Day with a red, white and blue breakfast of waffles topped with strawberries, blueberries and cream.  Or, vanilla ice cream and berries make a tasty red, white, and blue desert.  

Talk about the Importance of Labor with Your Family

Talk about Labor Day, the importance of work, and how America was built by the labor and sacrifice of ordinary men and women.  Tell stories about famous Americans who made a difference because of their hard work.  Remind your children that their labor can add to the legacy of liberty in America.

You might want to share some quotes about work, and talk about what they mean.

Tell any stories you know about hard-working grandparents and other ancestors.  Some families call grandparents to thank them for all they’ve done for the family and to ask them to tell about their work.  This is a great time to ask grandparents to tell stories about their experiences and to give any advice they might have for their grandkids.

You could also talk about your work and how you prepared to provide for your family.

Or you could tell stories about other hard-working American heroes, like Thomas Edison or Benjamin Franklin.  You can learn about many heroes here at PatrioticMoms.com.


Explore Professions

Help your children learn about a variety of professions as they consider the work they want to do.  Invite them to consider what they would enjoy doing.  Make a list of their ideas.  Keep it in a folder or notebook and add to it as they think of new possibilities.

Introduce your kids to a variety of professions.  Interview friends, family, neighbors, and other professionals about their work, what they enjoy about what they do, what the challenges are, how they prepared, etc.  Take notes (and pictures if you want) and add them to your notebook.


Work Together as a Family

Labor Day is a good time to clean up a family garden and get your yard ready for winter.  Or you could clean out the garage, work on projects inside your home, or help a neighbor.  Some families like to play music or sing together while they work.

You can take pictures and keep a record of what you accomplish during your special family work projects.  It will be fun to see progress over the years.

Some of our happiest memories can be of working together as a family.  Our family plays loud, lively music and we do a little singing and dancing, and a lot of laughing, as we work together.


Serve Others

An important part of teaching children to work is to prepare them to be self sufficient.  Equally important is to prepare them to love and serve their fellow men.  Labor Day is a good time to find someone you can help.  Look for someone who needs you and can't pay you back.  

Some families serve at a local homeless shelter.  Others do yard work for a military family whose Dad is gone.  Others visit the elderly.  Older folks may just need to know you care, or you could invite them to dinner, or do a work project that may be hard for them to do.  

There are so many ways we can lighten the burdens of those around us!  Here are a few stories from the life of Mitt Romney.  From the time their family was young, Mitt, Ann, and the kids would reach out and help others.  (The service stories start at 2:02).  And here is Harvard Business professor, Clayton Christensen, telling how Mitt helped him.  


Enjoy a Fun Family Activity

After working and serving together, it might be nice to get out and enjoy a fun afternoon at the park.  Or you might enjoy a family bike ride, hike, or water sports.  Somehow the fun is even better after you’ve accomplished something together as a family.

In the evening you could invite family and friends for a BBQ or potluck dinner.  Or you could invite them over after dinner and serve something simple, like ice cream sundaes.  

You could play games together and even have a talent show (planned or spontaneous) afterwards for the kids to share the fruits of their labors.