Up for a Summer Reading Project?

When was the last time - if ever - you read the core documents on which this great nation was founded? Think the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights. There are more, but these are fundamental.

For the last couple of months, in talking with people face-to-face, the response I get to this question falls into one of three categories:

1) blank face sometimes followed by, "are those even available to the public?"
2) "uh... maybe grade school"
3) pretty sure never

So why not? None of these documents takes a great deal of time to read nor is the language that difficult. Most very good dictionaries includes a copy of one or more of them in the front or back sections. You can also find them online.

They're even pretty good reading although I have a certain prejudice since one of my ancestors (two actually) signed the Declaration. More to the point, they are IMPORTANT reading. Every American should know what is set forth in those documents, but too few do. And the folks serving us in Washington for the most part don't seem to have a frickin' clue!

Once you've read, spread the "good word" around. I used to give copies to my nieces and nephews (since I'm not blessed with children of my own). Talk amongst friends and family about them - how some of those "self-evident truths" have gotten lost by the wayside, how the current manner of doing business in D.C. doesn't seem to abide what these founding principles espouse, etc.

It may sound like a tedious chore, but I believe you'll be very glad you did. It may even leave you wanting more!