How does your state’s Constitution compare?

October 14, 2024 by · 1 Comment 

In simple terms, Constitutions are intended to be the framework which dictates how governments, institutions, and other various organizations are to function. They typically state both the rights of those whom they cover, along with the boundaries from which those in power must rule. They are not mere suggestions, and they nearly always make it VERY difficult to make modifications so as to prevent both the current winds of public opinion or over-reaching power-mongers to make changes to suite their own wants, desires, and opinions. However, as the U.S. Constitution, through the initial “Bill of Rights” and following Amendments clearly shows, revisions can be made. Of course, in doing so, the rules set forth within the constitution itself must be followed or the document itself means nothing.

When it comes to the very foundation of the U.S. – and dare I say its sustainability, no one can argue that the U.S. Constitution, along with its properly “agreed upon” amendments, is 2nd-to-none. In my opinion, each citizen should take personal ownership in becoming intimately familiar with its stated rights, privileges, and responsibilities granted to “We the People“, and the restrictions it places upon those who govern. While this plea will likely be met with general enthusiasm, sadly, doing so falls into the same bucket where “more exercise”, “eating better”, and a host of New Year’s resolutions are found. As the recently deceased philosopher David Crosby once said, “An ignorant [uniformed] populace is ripe for manipulation by despots [leaders who do not have their own best interests in mind]”.

Whew! Now I can step down from my soapbox and move on to the marginally related inspiration for the above rabbit trail.

State Constitutions

While most U.S. citizens still have a degree of familiarity with the Constitution which frames the Federal Government, thanks to recent events, many are just now becoming aware that the state in which they reside also has rock-sold guidelines from which they must function – i.e., their own constitution. I’ve always been fascinated by both the similarities and differences between my home state of Pennsylvania’s constitution and the U.S. Constitution, but I would guess I’m in a minority. Yet, “Knowlege is Power” – or at least a degree of protection. I was recently reminded of this as I came upon a pair of Nile’s Weekly Register’s from the 1820’s which printed the entire text of the newly ratified Constitution of Maine. Shown below are photos with portion of the text. When you think of the U.S. Constitution, does any of Maine’s sound familiar? Different? How about your own state’s constitution?

One of the opportunities/responsibilities we have as citizens at the national, state, and local levels, as dictated in both federal and state constitutions, is the right to vote. What a privilege! Yet, truth is, “We the People” have widely varied views of what we deem to be most important when it comes to those who govern us. While I am an advocate for open discourse in the face of diametrically opposed viewpoints, and can respect (and even care for) those who stand opposed to my own personal beliefs, my only hope as an American is that we all would continue to agree to live within the guidelines of the U.S. Constitution (and those of the state in which we each reside), and vote for leaders who will do the same – AND, when changes are warranted, will go through the prescribed channels for making modification.

Oops… I somehow stepped back up on my soapbox. Sorry about that. Well… not really. 🙂

Happy voting Oh, and in the meantime, why not have a little fun by pulling up your own state’s constitution and compare it to the one that rules us all (sorry for using a bit of Tolkeinese)?