In Philadelphia This Morning, Obama to Call for "A New Declaration of Independence", page 8

Stranded,

You are quite correct. We are all here to learn and become more than those that came before us. The Constitution represents the best and the worse of the times in which it was written. An example of this is that these men formed a union which proved to become the most powerful and democratic nation in the world. In a time when many nations are suffering through great acts against mankind, the US stands as a beacon of how diverse peoples can work and live in relative peace.

However, while this achievement is indeed great, it took a Civil War that took many lives, made cripples of thousands, and tore this nation apart, to do what the swipe of a pen could have done almost a hundred years earlier. When men fail to act from their higher minds, when they give into negative thought, give over to the greed of the few, and do not do that which they know in their hearts and souls that which they should, the many will suffer. So, while we can celebrate our founding fathers and the good judgment they showed in creating our Constitution, we must also learn from the fact that they failed as well as succeeded. Do you think if they knew at that time that it would take a massive bloodshed to fix what they failed to do, which was to give all men within the borders of the country at that time, the freedoms they so desperately fought for themselves, that which could have been completed in a peaceful manner, they would have not done so? True, the Southern states threatened not to join the Union. However, what would have happened if they had called the Southern states out on their threat? I believe that in time, seeing it to their advantage to do so, they would have sought to join the Union as so many other states did. This would have been a peaceful process. I admire their foresight and am saddened by their lack of foresight as well.

But, we are left with this great day today where a Black man is now to be inaugarated as the President of this country. It is too bad that there are those amongst us that do not understand the meaning of this achievement for this country. That some of those are members of the Black race is particularly sad for those individuals. May God shine the light of His Holy light upon them and awaken within them that which should have been born within them long ago. There are positive and negative forces on this Earth. Today is a day when the positive forces are in control. Let us celebrate!

[edit on 20-1-2009 by Little Star]