The preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America states that it was written to “secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” The Constitution begins with three very important words “We the People”

The Constitution sets forth the idea that in the United States the people are sovereign. Sovereign people are free people. Free people will secure the blessings of liberty. What are the blessings of liberty?

Private property ownership, freedom of speech, and freedom to petition the government for redress are just a few of the blessings of liberty.

The Founders of the United States were deeply influenced by the writings of individuals like John Locke and Algernon Sydney. It was their influence that helped inspire the founding fathers to seek for independence and fight against tyranny in pursuit of the blessings of liberty.

Sydney when speaking of government asks this question: “Who will wear a shoe that hurts him, because the shoe-maker tells him 'tis well made?” He further explains “That which is not just, is not Law; and that which is not Law, ought not to be obeyed.”

Locke further expounded on this thought by writing: “For where-ever the Power that is put in any hands for the Government of the People, and the Preservation of their Properties, is applied to other ends, and made use of to impoverish, harass, or subdue them to the Arbitrary and Irregular Commands of those that have it: There it presently becomes Tyranny, whether those that thus use it are one or many.”

As the posterity of the writers of the Constitution we have an obligation to seek for the blessings of liberty. This will require effort and action. Inaction will lead to a bloated government that will destroy individual sovereignty and deprive us of the blessings of liberty. We the people are sovereign.