insurance

  To insure domestic tranquility. One of the stated reasons for the creation of the constitution of the United States. It is important to understand that the creation of that document took a great deal of compromise and debate before a final draft was proposed. It was then presented to the individual states for ratification. That took more debate and compromise. In the original draft there were no "bill of rights" and that was a concern. Eventually a compromise was reached and a guarantee of "amendments" was offered. Finally Rhode Island was the last state to ratify that document, doing so in May of 1790. In December of 1791 the first ten amendments were added, as promised, insuring the rights of the people. Yes, there was a real concern about a central government exercising too much power. 

  Today we hear all this talk about the constitution and my constitutional rights! The focus is on those amendments, not on the body of the actual document. In that preamble, the explanation for the creation of that constitution, it states "insure domestic tranquility." In order to insure that everyone must agree on a set of rules. The constitution sets out those rules. Still ever since the ratification and adoption of those rules the lawyers have been busy providing interpretations of those rules. The federalist papers were published as a series and an explanation of the rules. The motivations of men haven't changed over the centuries and that is what is addressed. The constitution does not directly address immigration. No, that is the function of Congress. The constitution does extend the right of due process to immigrants. Due process doesn't mean you aren't arrested, detained, and charged with a criminal act like entering the country illegally. 

  Ever hear about Shay's rebellion? That took place over a period of time from August of 1786 until February of 1787. It involved attacks on court houses and other government properties protesting economic policies and the collection of taxes. The local militia was unable to quell the rebellion. Militia from Boston were called in to restore law and order. The necessity for a stronger central government was glaringly apparent. Congress was unable to raise funds, each state was responsible for war debts (the revolutionary war) and lacking any federal funds they had no choice but to tax their citizens. It was also recognized that the federal government had no means to defend the citizens, even from each other! In short, that rebellion precipitated the constitutional convention that lead to the writing of the constitution. We had achieved freedom but had no mechanism to preserve that freedom among the thirteen colonies in the union. Domestic tranquility is what we are talking about.

  Over the last few decades or so we, the United States, has experienced a number of riots. They have gone by different names depending on the political party reporting or the political party responsible. The "causes" have varied according to whatever narrative is being proposed. It is a never ending struggle. We are facing another such situation at this moment, the LA riots opposing the enforcement of the law. Let's make that clear, that is what the rioting is all about, the enforcement of immigration policies as set forth by the Congress of the United States. Policies you enacted by casting your vote for your representatives. If you don't like the policy change the representative! 

  All this unrest over the decades has lead us to one thing, the necessity for a convention of the states. Yes, that is the mechanism that was written into our constitution to address just such a situation as we find ourselves in. Article five outlines the process for amending the constitution. It provides two options, either by 2/3 of the congress, or by 2/3 of the state legislatures. The latter method more closely involves the individual citizen and their wishes for their condition. It is recognized that each state has varying needs dependent upon  their location, their means of generating income and their traditional values. The original convention of the states is what history calls the constitutional convention. It took two years and four months for that first effort, involving just thirteen colonies. I suspect a convention of the states today would be quite the lengthy process. For that reason alone I suggest we get moving on that. It's the method to insure domestic tranquility. Barring that, what other method is available? Just as was required in Shays rebellion, overwhelming force. When the state can not or will not act, it is the responsibility of the central government to intervene, to establish law and order. 

  

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, " 

Note that it states;  "we the people of the united states." It doesn't address immigrants, migrants, undocumented, or illegal people within the borders of this sovereign nation. And if you ain't down with that, you aren't an American at all.