OPINION: Leaders must know—The Constitution is designed to govern the government, not the people.
The U.S. Constitution is the bedrock of American governance, designed to safeguard individual liberties by limiting government power. However, its core purpose is often misunderstood, as evidenced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) recent remarks questioning the notion of God-given rights enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. His comments, which sparked widespread online backlash, underscore a critical misinterpretation of the foundational principles articulated in the Declaration’s iconic second paragraph: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Preamble declares that "We the People" establish the Constitution to form a government dedicated to specific purposes, including securing liberty. The Constitution is not a tool to govern the people but to govern the government itself. This critical distinction, rooted in the document’s text and the Founders’ vision, is essential to preserving freedom, and we must hold our leaders accountable to this fundamental principle. Any elected official in Nevada who misinterprets this principle, as some in Washington, D.C. do, risks endorsing policies that undermine the core liberties the Constitution is crafted to safeguard.
The Constitution is not designed to govern the people but to govern the government itself.
The Constitution outlines the federal government’s structure, powers, and limitations, creating a system of checks and balances to prevent overreach. The Bill of Rights, for example, does not regulate citizens but restrains the government from violating freedoms such as speech, religion, and self-defense. As James Madison underscored, the Constitution’s core purpose is to protect against tyranny by limiting government power, not controlling individuals.
This misunderstanding isn’t merely academic—it’s a threat to liberty. When officials assume the Constitution grants them broad authority over individuals rather than limiting their power, they invite dangerous overreach. Recent debates over free speech and privacy underscore how quickly the government can stray when its role is misconstrued. The Constitution serves as a leash on government authority, not a license to control the people.
Our leaders responsibility is to uphold a system that empowers individuals, not one that subjugates them. The American people deserve representatives who understand that a government ungoverned by the Constitution is a government unbound. By honoring the Constitution’s role as a shield for liberty, we ensure it remains a stronghold against tyranny and a protector of the freedoms that define our nation.
