Take a read this week

Though enacted in August of 1956 by Dwight D. Eisenhower, via a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Constitution Week was not officially declared until 2002, by George W. Bush.

Though not a federal holiday, the purpose of the week is to promote study and education of the Constitution. It officially kicks off annually on Sept. 17, in commemoration of the original adoption of the Constitution in 1787.

We encourage people who have never given the Constitution a read to do so, and even those who know every line to take the time to look over this document that established our system of government and set forth the freedoms — religion, speech, press, assembly and petition among them — and rights of the people.

Recently within the political arena, the Second Amendment — which protects the right of individuals to keep and bear arms — has come to the forefront, as President Obama has proposed stronger enforcement of gun laws. The Amendment itself applies to individuals, not collective militias, and further states the government may regulate the manufacture, ownership and sale of firearms and other devices.

While it’s easy to focus on the gun control debate in a time where the news has at least one story about a shooting or terrorist act almost daily, we sometimes forget this document signed by 39 delegates nearly 230 years ago, is about so much more. Local teachers who take the time this week to provide activities and education about the Constitution should be applauded for helping our youth understand more of how our government was founded.

Whether you know it by heart, have never set an eye to it, or taken a Cliff’s Notes approach to the Constitution, we should never forget those opening three words — We the People — as it is those that are a reminder that the government should act in service to the people.

Though we here at the Thermopolis Independent Record can’t tell you who to vote for, we encourage you either during or outside this Constitution Week, to take a look and one of the founding documents of this country and consider its significance when making your decisions this November.