Dear Forest Blade Editor:
Recently, Judge Bobby Reeves mentioned in a Facebook posting that all our federal Representatives, and a third of the Senate are accountable to the voters every two years.
I personally had a local citizen (and former student) ask me why it was done this way. The short answer is that’s how it is described in our Constitution. While it has been a long time since US Government Class for many of us, perhaps “We the People” should revisit our Constitution every so often!
As such, take a moment to find your copy of the Constitution as given by the Exchange Club in school ( or look to the National Archives/Library of Congress for a digital transcription…better yet, visit the Franklin Memorial Library…the good local friends there can assist you in your quest for a more complete understanding of our Constitution!)
Today, I want to share a short reminder and overview of the Preamble, as well as the first three Articles.
"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."
In just 52 words, the Preamble to the United States Constitution establishes a revolutionary idea: governance belongs to the citizenry. By opening with "We the People," the framers shifted the source of political power away from monarchs and oligarchs and directly into the hands of the public, setting the stage for a novel experiment in federal democracy. We - not left nor right, not male nor female - no matter one’s race, creed, religion, home state or other differences can keep us from our commonality of being “We the People of the United States of America”. As such, it is our obligation as citizens to work together to reach a consensus in the best interest of our country on all issues as they come to light, and commit to our common values, aspirations and oversight.
Following this introduction, the first three articles of our founding document carefully map out a balanced, three-part government designed to ensure no single entity can seize absolute control.
Article I establishes the Legislative branch, creating a bicameral Congress divided into the House of Representatives (elected every two years to provide accountability to the people it represents) and the Senate (serving six-year terms for continuity, but with ⅓ facing accountability to their state’s voters every two years). As the longest and most detailed section of the Constitution, it grants the power to make laws, collect taxes, declare war, and regulate commerce. The framers prioritized this branch to ensure that the diverse voices of the states and our population would reach consensus to directly shape national policy. (Not to be petulant children demanding only “my way” and refusing to work together to form a “more perfect union.”) Domestic tranquility comes from working together toward our common good at every level - from citizen to Representative, Senator, President or Supreme Court Justice. Notice, the citizen comes first.
Article II outlines the Executive branch, vesting power in a President of the United States. Serving as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, the President is tasked first and foremost with executing and enforcing the laws passed by Congress. This section defines the scope of executive authority, including the power to make treaties and appoint federal officials, while intentionally keeping the office bound by accountability to the legislative branch, and to the voters every four years.
Article III defines the Judicial branch, creating the Supreme Court and permitting Congress to establish lower federal courts. This branch holds the power to interpret the law and resolve legal disputes arising under the Constitution. Its role is apolitical as envisioned, necessary to be a check on both the political branches - the Legislative and the Executive - and terms are for life or at the discretion of the justice… a divisive concern if the Judicial is unable/unwilling to be apolitical serving the interest of justice!
Together, these initial three sections form the bedrock of the American separation of powers, an enduring blueprint where distinct branches are charged to check and balance one another to protect individual liberty. Ultimately, “We the People” are responsible to hold our entire government to task.
Please thank a veteran this week for their service to our country, their defense of our Constitution and way of life. Remember those that paid the ultimate price for their commitment to our country, and fly your flags on the 11th for Veterans Day.
Roy Joe Kemp
West Main, Swainsboro
Galatians 5:13
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." (New International Version)
