Article 1, Sections 1 and 2

Section 1 All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.  Section 2 The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.  No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.  Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.  The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five and Georgia three.  When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.  The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. 

With the Preamble done, now we get into the nitty-gritty. Section 1 establishes the Congress and the sole legislative body of the government. Get that? Only Congress can make laws. Not judges, not presidents.

Section 2 describes in detail the makeup of the House of Representatives. Some notable parts: You need to be an "inhabitant" of the state you are elected in, and only the House has the power to impeach (haven't had to think about that in a few years, huh?).

comments?

The Preamble:

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.

Many people question the relevance of the U.S. Constitution.  Many people swear an oath to protect and defend it.  How many people truly take the time to learn and understand it?

I am attempting to do just that.  To really learn what this document has to say, and what it means to our everyday lives.  I'd like to invite you along.  

It is a large document, but I'm going to break it up into small sections, to offer time to digest and comment on its meaning.  Regarding comment, I will on occasion do just that.  Sometimes I may just let the text stand on its own.  Sometimes I'll add a thought.  I welcome thoughts and comments at any time.

I don't know how often I'll update it.  I suppose the vague answer is as often as i can.

This document is the law of our land.  It sets down in ink what the federal government can and, more importantly, can not do.  I'm not sure many people in a position of leadership in this country understand that.  Maybe they'll join us on this journey too. riiiiiiiiiiight.

Anyway, welcome aboard if you care to join me.

and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity

The "Blessings of Liberty".  They knew exactly what they were saying, and what they meant by it, and how valuable it is.  It is more valuable and relevant today than at any other time in our history.

see you next time.