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.
There is a line in the Preamble of the United States Constitution that mentions, "...in order to form a more perfect union..." It tells us that we do not consider our nation perfect, but that we strive to understand things better to make things better. Understanding the goals helps us identify our mistakes and our flaws so we can correct them and fix them.
Things have not always been rosy for our citizens (for some even less rosy than others), and even our greatest leaders had their flaws. That's what makes our continuing study of history so important.
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There is no doubt that this world is not fair. Some are definitely more advantaged than others - by inheritance, by race, and by popularity - and it stinks. I think I understand (though probably not fully). Poverty, racism, and all kinds of religious hatred and political lies only exacerbate the climate of our great land. However, the flag represents more than that. The flag stands for the things we strive for...together. Our nation was not borne naturally. Our nation was put together to combat negativity.
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But history is ugly! Much in the same way that I make mistakes and do stupid things from time to time, so goes our country. There's no doubt that the United States has had its share of faltering moments, but the call of a day like today might be to stand back up, learn from falling, and fix ourselves. I choose to see the flag as a dream for liberty for all and reward for hard work. May it stand for peace - even if peace has not always been the norm and even if peace is not the current headline. May our flag stand for what could be, what we want it to be, and what we have not yet achieved!