President Reagan and ‘We the People . . .’

In the section of his State of the Union address touted as a civics lesson for the nation’s youngsters, President Reagan claimed, “I have read the constitutions of a number of countries . . . “ and “Many countries have written into their constitution provisions for freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. If this is true, why is the Constitution of the United States so exceptional?

“The difference is so small it almost escapes you--but it’s so great it tells the whole story in just three words: We the people.”

In other words, ours is the only national charter that presents itself as a pronouncement by the general polity. I can only gather that Reagan’s perusal of constitutions didn’t include that of one of our principal allies:

“The German people . . . conscious of their responsibility before God and men . . . have enacted by virtue of their constituent power, this basic law for the Federal Republic of Germany.”

Considering that when Reagan visited Ireland, he took note of his Irish ancestry and received an honorary degree, I can scarcely explain why he overlooked the constitution that begins:

“We the people of Eire . . . seeking to promote the common good . . . so that the dignity and freedom of the individual may be assured . . . do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this constitution.”

Reagan then told the kids:

“In those other constitutions, the government tells the people what they are allowed to do. In our Constitution, we the people tell the government what it can do . . . “

Thus, ours is the only constitution that recognizes the sovereignty of the people; all others regard the state as supreme and the people as subordinate. Reagan must have omitted from his study the national charter of our southern neighbor, which document declares:

“The national sovereignty resides essentially and originally in the people. All public power originates in the people and is instituted for their benefit. The people have at all times the inalienable right to alter or modify their form of government.”

Reagan also overlooked the constitution of another important ally:

“France is a republic, indivisible, secular, democratic, and social . . . Its principle is government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

SKYLER BURCHHAVEN

Upland