Preamble
We the People(1) 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(2),
and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Notes:
-
The Preamble declares that:
"We the People of the United States .... do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America." The meaning is clear that
all authority originates from the People.
-
The meaning of the word Welfare in the
Constitution is different from its current usage. The constitutional meaning
of
welfare
is: 1. health, happiness, or prosperity;
well-being. [<ME wel faren, to fare well]
Welfare in today's context also means organized efforts on the part of public
or private organizations to benefit the poor, or simply public assistance. This
is not the meaning of the word as used in the Constitution.
For
clarity and simplicity, the word "well-being"
is generally used in place of "Welfare"
in this web site.
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