Something we are missing as a nation. The flag vs. constitution.

It occurs to me that there are MANY people out there in America busying themselves WAVING the American flag. They'll wave it on command for war, they wave it on command every time politicians from either party say jump, they wave it for Alan Jackson and Rush Limbaugh or Bruce Springsteen and Ed Schultz they wave it to show patriotism, loyalty, support or simple pride in being an american. They wave it on important national holidays and events. It hangs from poles in front of their small business and off the porches of their homes. They wear it on their clothes and even have it tattooed permanently on their skin.

But I never see anyone waiving a full size copy of the constitution. I've never seen a constitution mounted on a pole in front of the American soldiers who have sworn an oath to uphold it even as they prepare to fight and DIE for it. I don't see copies of the constitution hanging from peoples houses or adorning the backs of their leather jackets. I can't recall seeing the stage of a political rally of either party festooned with fake parchment ribbons and banners with wiry black script enumerating our inalienable rights as Americans. (I have seen a scant few "We the People..." graphics here and there though.) I'm not sure I've ever seen a constitution lapel pin on anyones jacket. People say of the flag: "These colors never run" well the constitution has been around longer than the current flag and the ink that represents our freedom as Americans has never ran either.

I wish more people could understand the reason why some of us might rather stand behind them and wave the CONSTITUTION instead (at least figuratively). Sure it isn't as FUN to waive as the flag or nearly as colorful you can't pick up an inexpensive plastic copy of the constitution at Wal-Mart and a constitution sticker isn't nearly as eye catching on the back window of your truck or car (it is a very old handwritten legal document after all) but I feel that a whole lot of people are forgetting that without the Constitution of the United States of America to back it up the flag they wave is NOTHING more than a few brightly colored scraps of cheap nylon stitched together by some very poor taiwanese women. I think that for many, far too many, the American flag symbolizes only America (and in many cases just their little part of America) and NOT the document that gave it life and sustains it's existence.

I want people to understand that the flag doesn't protect the rights that we as Americans hold dear. It can't provide for the common defense. The flag doesn't protect you from unlawful search and seizure. The flag can't ensure your right to freely speak your mind or own a gun (the flag can't even give you the right to wave the FLAG). The flag people wave doesn't protect their rights to protest things they don't agree with or to worship as they choose. Even the biggest and most expensive flags can't shield honest Americans from illegal wire taps or an overbearing I.R.S. So I'll say to people that if they feel the need to venerate and honor an American rectangle they might stop for a moment and decide which one is really the more important symbol of our nation, our democracy and our freedom.

Anyhoo... just something that has occurred to me that I find ironic if not troubling..

BTW anyone know where I could find a constitution sticker for my car? Nothing full sized of course. One just big enough for astute passers buy to recognize and maybe appreciate.



Edited title because readers were only answering a question in the title used as a rhetorical device and not responding to the posts contents which I (as the OP) would like to discuss. :)

Because it's not a symbol...It's the foundation for our rights and liberties. It's what makes America great.

but thank you for the kind response.

PB

Flag is more effective - it's colorful, it's obvious, you can wave it, you can drape it, you can hang it from a flag pole, you can have a decal of it or your car, you can have it imprinted on a t-shirt, and feel all patriotic, while the constitution requires such difficult skills as reading and reasoning, and that's hard work!

and a very sincere Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the men and women whos served in uniform SUPPORTING AND DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. I did it for 24 years. Go ahead, burn the flag. Fuck with the constitution and you will agitate the living shit out of this old salt. I hope I've answered your question.

Actually the constitution is not a symbol. And to the religiously insane in this country its actually a hindrance to their desire to establish a theocracy in this country. That's too fucking bad.

To me that one is a no brainer... KKKarl Rove may be wiping his ass with the constitution tonight even as I type this but I've never heard of ANYONE burning a copy of the constitution in protest... Even overseas.

You originally mentioned "symbol." As a veteran I think it is an American Citizens right to burn that symbol. Its a fine symbol of our country but the constitution provides the operating instructions.

It is a no brainer. Its all very clear in my mind.

I thought people were only reading the title and misunderstanding the post...
As a fellow veteran I KNOW it's my right to speak my mind and if that to me includes burning the flag then I will exercise that right.

In the original post I was trying to say that one of the problems facing our country is with people who put the cart before the horse. but anyhoo... It's x-mas eve and I suppose everyone (but me! lol) has better things to do. :)

My simple-minded neighbor flys his flag day and night(illuminated by spotlight at night) but thinks that people that demonstrate against the war are traitors.

which is more than can be said for many, many businesses.

My mom displays the flag with a spotlight. Unfortunately, she doesn't take it down when it rains.

I should mention that to her.

I have an empty wall..What would rather have on it than this!



http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10314518/SP--A/IGID--790337/Constitution.htm?sOrig=CRT&sOrigId=25799&ui=EF994A241B8C419EB67E8D7A6BF08C8B