To the editor:
The first paragraph of the U.S. Constitution is as follows: “We the People 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, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Who were the founding fathers of this country referring to when they wrote the Constitution? Were they referring to themselves, as We the People? Or, were they referring to the citizens of this country as We The People?
We the People are actually the legal, naturalized citizens of this country. They are the ones who, when casting their votes during elections, elect into place the officials that become We the Servants, serving We the People.
Unfortunately, the phrase and purpose of We the People has been reversed. Elected officials now recognize themselves as We the People and have established the citizens of this country as We the Servants. This not only needs to be, but must be, reversed. Elected officials — regardless of whether they be on the Select Board or Town Council, politicians in any state capitol of this country, or elected officials in Washington, D.C. — need to realize that they are We the Servants, looking out for the best interest of We the People. Servant, is defined in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as the following: “one that serves others.”
The best interest of We the People must always be first and foremost.
Hal R. Britton
Houlton
