How to Read the Constitution and Why

By reading this koob, you will learn that the people of the US have a responsibility to understand the Constitution and ensure the government is faithfully serving its people, executing its authority responsibly.

You will also learn:

• What is the purpose of the Constitution;

• Who is afforded what powers under the Constitution;

• How the powers afforded can be abused;

• What rights are guaranteed to the people of the United States;

• What rights are not guaranteed to the people of the United States; and

• What are some of the shortcomings of the Constitution and how might they be solved?

The United States Constitution guarantees the liberties of the country’s citizens and lays the foundation of its government. How the Constitution is used, interpreted, expanded, and refined depends on a delicate balance of power. Ambiguous aspects of the Constitution could allow the government to expand its power and disrupt this balance, if the people of the U.S. are not mindful. For the people to keep this balance of power in check, they must be informed and knowledgeable about their rights and about the responsibilities of the government. This begins by understanding in plain language what the Constitution says and doesn’t say, why it exists and who it serves.