Keeping a Free Republic: Learning the Blueprint for Liberty in the Constitution & the Bill of Rights

The Constitution is the original Contract with America. Written in the language of the American people, it is the expression of the people’s will, written into law, that any American citizen might access without having to consult an attorney. The Constitution is the people’s instrument for restraining government power, not the government’s tool to restrain the people. The Founders, in their wisdom, created a republican form of government that protects the people’s Natural Rights from the danger of being canceled by means of a simple majority vote. This is why the Constitution does not mention the word “democracy” even once. After all, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a free republic is much more important than simple majority rule. “In questions of powers, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” —Thomas Jefferson

Paul Dowling grew up in Baytown, Texas, where he learned to value family, friends, and freedom. He earned a B.A. in Linguistics and an M.A. in German from the University of Texas at Austin, continuing his studies at the University of Houston, where he went on to earn an M.A. in English and an Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction. A public school teacher of three decades' experience, in both Texas and California, Paul currently lives in Texas, where he enables freedom by working as a life-skills coach and career counselor who helps special education students procure job preparation and competitive employment, as well as postsecondary education and work training. Paul has volunteered as a docent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California, and has sponsored a high school Constitution Club. He enjoys studying American history, the US Constitution, the Hebrew Bible, and economic theory, as well as writing articles for Eagle Rising (https: //eaglerising.com/author/paul-dowling/). Paul also enjoys giving speeches to educate others about correct principles for the maintenance of a free republic.