Opinion – Celebrate The Fourth And Our Constitution

The Constitution of the United States of America

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.

The Fourteenth Amendment

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is wrong — again.  His dissent on the recent same-sex marriage decision, which was smarmy in its attempt to have his shame mitigated by insincere well wishes, claimed the majority decision was not a celebration of the constitution. It was. Unfortunately his dissent was a failure of conscience as a well as a failure of intellect.

Though sometimes slow in the delivery of its promise of equality for all, the U.S. Constitution was a celebration as reflected by the majority decision.  On this Fourth of July weekend, we can hope that the spirit of equal protection thrives and that people of all origins, religions, genders and orientations may celebrate the spirit of the Constitution.