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Show page A4 Tuesday, o September 12, 1995 0 Davis County Clipper (Bimestt EcflnttoriaB In last 208 years We have lost 50 percent of our freedom Kathryn R. Hess Constitution Week Chairman Daughters of the American Revolution. On September 17 we will celebrate a very important birthday in our lives. All over America bells will ring, speeches and parades will take place as our President and numerous Governors have proclaimed this Constitution Week. Our Constitution was signed by our Founding Fathers on Sept. 17, 1787 and is 208 years old. Mankind seeks three things: freedom, prosperity and the longing for peace to escape the anguish of war. Our Constitution was written to achieve this goal and only through freedom can this be attained. Our Founding Fathers were students and philosophers as well as soldiers and politicians. Every known system of government was examined carefully to see if it was possible to attain the three goals they wished to attain. There was no free government then anywhere on the earth so our Founding Fathers set out to write a constitution which had these three attributes which they desired. The American charter of liberty turned out to be the very first successful free people of modem times. Our Constitution is truly a miracle. The basic principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence of a government: By the people, of the people and for the people and the truth to be self evident that all men are created equal, that all are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights of life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness was attainable in our Constitution. After the Revolutionary War our nation was trying to function on the Articles of Confederation which had no taxing power or any strong central government. Each state was jealous of their neighbor and this new nation was in a state of collapse. England France and Spain were just ready to pounce on our nation as they thought it was in a state of rebellion and collapse. Our Founding Fathers reacted to the crisis and called a Constitutional Convention. It was a miracle it ever convened but it finally met on May 25, 1787 in the Independence Hall in Philadelphia. George Washington was immediately and unanimously elected Convention President. James Madison sat in the front of the hall and took copious notes on everything said. After each session he would work far into the night filling in details. It was in 1843 that congress released his notes. Many plans were presented: the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, Hamilton's Plan and others. Through four long hot summer months each plan was discussed each point considered until a consensus was reached and all were in agreement. There were compromises but all realized the seriousness of their work to this nations existence. After the agreement was reached it was sent to the committee on detail to make it all come together, then sent to the committee on style for organizing. It was then reviewed by the convention and passed. It was then sent to a skilled penman and this was Gouverneur Morris who wrote the preamble also. It was finally ready for signatures. Four did not sign because they felt we needed a Bill of Rights. Our Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. Congress must accept it and the people and there was much cussion. Janies Madison, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton wrote a series of letters to explain the document which were later published as the Federalist, and should be studied as they are the thinking of the Founding Fathers. Citizens were encouraged to make a list of rights and these 1 89 w ere finally condensed to the Bill of Rights or the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It is a basic principle of a government BY THE PEOPLE that a government could not survive if the people did not maintain a constant vigilance and did not develop an intelligent and informed electorate. Benjamin said, A nation of well informed men, who have been to taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved, it is in the realm of ignorance that tyranny begins. As a people we do not value freedom, have been selfish and greedy looking for government to give us handouts and supply all our wants, being sure we get our share. We forget that government can only give out what it takes from us first. We have lost 50 percent of our freedom. Instead of a Constitutional Republic we are now a Socialistic Democracy. I had hoped in my lifetime that I might see a return to correct constitutional principles and to the vision of our Founding Fathers. It will take statesmen not positions and in alarmed citizens who know the Constitution! Let us read the Bill of Rights this birthday of our Constitution at least so we can judge our rights. May God bless this nation. dis- 'Good life The man grew up in Utah. He formed his own company at a relatively early age, and then worked hard at expanding it. s by Clipper Publishing Co., Inc P 370 South 500 West O Box 267 Bountiful. Utah 8401 1332 67 FAX (801) Telephone (801 ) 295 2251 ADMINISTRATION R Gail Stahle EDITORIAL . Publisher Judy Jensen Managing Editor News Editor Sports Editor Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Paul Chalhs Mark Wa'son Melinda Williams Jeff Haney Brett Taylor Photographer Photographer Photographer Correspondent Correspondent Correspondent Correspondent Correspondent Roger Tuttle Ron Osborn Jams Eakins Susan Tanner Holmes Cherie Huber Lynn Averett Marilyn Sanders OFFICE Annette Tidwell Sharon Lords Office Manager Receptionist Receptionist Receptionist Anita Keller Deborah Atchison John Buist Earlene Hall ADVERTISING Gene Milne Tyler Boyce Vickie DeWaal Rebecca Jamieson PRODUCTION Kay Williams Ruby Evans Lisa Cover Betty Meredith Lesa Christensen Helen Meier Clark Stahle Reed Stahle Victor Turner CIRCULATION Roy Millard Cheryl Carbine Wayne Staker Controller Bookkeeping Advertising Manager Advertising Sales Advertising Sales Classified Manager Production Manager Desktop publisher Desktop publisher Production Production Production Pressman Pre Press Press Help Circulation Manager Assistant Manager Mailroom Manager DEADLINES f Tuesday, apes Classified Ads Monday 1 0 am Thursday 5 pm Display Advertising (If Proof Required and color. 24 hours in advance) News Articles & Photos Thursday noon Obituaries Accepted Unti Mon. 1 1 am Public Notices Friday 5 pm Subscription sate: 50 C per copy Handdeltvered Tripay, Paper Classified Ads Thursday 10 am Display Advertising Tuesday 5 pm ( If Proof Required and color 24 hours in advance) News Articles & Photos Tuesday 5 pm Obituaries Accepted Until Thun 1 1 am Public Notices Wednesday 5 pm J25 00 per year. Mailed S35 00 per year. Publication No (USPS on ISSN 1061-122published Tuesday and Friday except the week of Christmas and New Years at Bountiful, Lhah Second class postage paid at Bountiful, Utah Address all correspondence to O. Box 267, Bountiful, Utah 8401 1 0267 149-18- semi-weekl- brand clothing. A The rationale, offered, is that some parents think childien gain selfesteem through fitting in and dressing nicely. And you know w hat the problem is with that? he asked me. It sets the stage. Kids learn from an eaily age comes from purthat chased goods, that pride comes from money. If you have to shop at The Gap or Nordstrom to make an kid feel good about himself, then theres something very wrong h should with our society. not be gauged by income levels or material objects. Real self-wort- h comes from inside and frankly, I think parents in Utah are doing a damn poor job of showing young people proper priorities." I thought of our conversation the next day when I attended a marketing conference in Salt Lake City. The I self-estee- eight-year-o- hes a millionaire many He understands ...He its true also understands money worth. And its not worth nearly as much as some people think, he told me last week. One of the most disconcerting things about modem life is the value placed on money and material goods. I see people buying homes they really cant afford...I see people buying automobiles they really cant afford... I see it in the early school grades where parents create financial problems for themselves by outfitting their children in expensive designer- Today times over. Welcome Back. Its em- blazoned across all our schools this month (or last month if youre on ). Youre welcome here. We want you. Come in. year-round- ld Self-wort- featured speaker, a representative from the respected Roger Starch research organization in New York City, said Americans are focusing even more on money and material items. Many parents in the back of our minds, theres the fear that the only ones Thats exactly how excited teachers feel about that new class. But theres others we need to welcome. And we arent always as excited parents. Because there is always at least one time in a teachers career when On sizable number equate dollars in have sighed had he heard the presentation. And he would have become downright annoyed if he heard a discussion outside the marketing conference. One man was asked about his brother, a high school teacher in Davis County. Yeah, hes still teaching school, said the man. But I dont think hell stay with it for too long. His wife keeps urging him to quit and attend dental school. I think shes finally convincing him that he should do more with his life than teach. It's a sad commentary on our values. But my millionaire friend would and doing understand. If something with ones life" is equated w ith income, then a dentist is certainly mote valuable to society than a school teacher. Of course, using that same theory, d a hooker is more valuable than the dentist. The hooker can shop at pricey department stores rather than Mervyns...The hooker can drive s. a car with more And I again recalled the words of my friend; Kids are learning it from an early age. the good life" willi a swimming pool (37 percent), a vacation home (44 per- cent) and "lots of money (63 percent). People are striving for the good life and the associated materialism, said the representative. Almost half want an expensive tar as lavish as their dream home. (People dont kick tires anymore; instead they count the number of cup holders because they want the car to feel like their home. said the rep.) The Roger Starch survey shows a definite trend toward materialism. People want to take expensive vacations. stay at luxury hotels, dine at expensive restaurants. They want to travel abroad. They want to feel good about themselves. On the othei hand, only 47 percent of the survey respondents said they had a happy marriage.. Only 29 percent claimed to have an interesting job.. .The trend was toward uncertainty about the future and a skepticism about all leaders church, business and government. My friend, the millionaire, would self-wor- th high-price- cup-holder- dont come to visit school he or she was intimidated by a parent. A parent who was angry. A parent who was frustrated. A parent who seemed to blame the teacher for the students faults. And so while we say that we will welcome parents into our school halls and class- rooms, about the prospect of welcoming Pubusited cant be measured who will come are the ones who will be angry and critical, and so we don't always reach out. We sometimes say the words, Youre welcome here behind a closed door. And many parents dont come. They dont come to school because in the life of a parent theres at least one time when he or she has been intimidated by a teacher . A teacher who was angry. A teacher who was frustrated. A teacher who seemed to blame the parents for the students faults. For some parents the only time they talk to a teacher is when their child is failing or misbehaving. And so they say they want to be involved, but in the back of their minds, theres the fear that they will face teachers who are angry and critical, and so they dont always reach back, even when invited. What a loss! What wasted opportunities Parents, put your fears away. Walk up to your child's teachers and shake their hands. Let them know you intend to support them. Ask them if theres anything you could be doing at home to help your children gain more from their instruction. Tell them you expect to hear from them if there are concerns, but that you would also appreciate knowing when something great happens so that you can acknowledge it at home. Teachers, make a phone call. Tell those nervous parents that youre glad to have their child in class and that youre excited about the year. Let them know you intend to support them. Ask them if theres anything you should know about how best their child learns so that you can make your lessons more meaningful to them. Let them know you WANT them to call you when they have questions or concerns and that your door is always open. The beginning of a school year has a new feel. A feeling of anticipation and nervousness and curiosity. While that feeling is still giving kids butterflies in their stomachs over meeting new kids and trying to fit in, lets meet each other with trust and without fear, and lets make the partnership between concerned parents and caring teachers a perfect fit. Vounr (IDpiiiniomi Hats off to South Davis Soccer for tournament Dear Editor, South Davis Soccer Association has just finished hosting the largest youth soccer tournament in the state. As a parent and volunteer at the tournament, I felt an overwhelming need to say thank you to the dedicated coaches, committee heads and members, and many parent volunteers who made this tournament possible for our children who enjoy the game of soccer. For the first time since my sons began playing soccer 15 years ago, I understand just what a time commitment many unselfish people give and have given to this recreational activity. Fields needed to be scheduled, cared for, trash picked up; communication systems were needed in case a player was injured (and there were a few); beverages needed to be provided for referees who spent all day in the hot sun; scores needed to be phoned into headquarters and there were many other tasks Im sure Im not even aware of. My hat goes off to coaches of our childrens teams who spend hundreds of hours teaching our children to play and often picking them up and taking them home from practices. I appreciate the referees (who, incidentally, are all regular human beings) for taking the abuse from some coaches times inhumane parents and and for spending countless hours in the sun, wind and rain. I say thank you to field marshals, d concessionaires, people who mowed fields, etc. etc. etc. Hats off to South Davis Soccer for running such a great tournament. Lets show our gratitude by being good supporters, good sports and even volunteers, if possible, next year!! Shauni Young North Salt Lake Thanks to stranger for returning wallet Editor, I do not know who you are or where ou live, but you have proven that there are still people in this community with upright principles of character and willing to do the honest thing. As a grandmother, I attended two little league football games Saturday, one in Layton, and one in Roy. As the games went on, I also played with a younger grandson, during some of the activities, I must have dropped my wallet out of my purse. I discovered my wallet was gone on my way home. I immediately assumed someone had taken it and I w as upset with mankind. Three days later, to my astonishment, placed very carefully on my front porch was my wallet, credit cards, pictures, and considerable money were all intact. There was no note to let me know to whom I owe a heartfelt thanks. So, to whomever you are, I extend my greatest thanks for returning my wallet, but more important, for returning my faith that righteous principles do prevail in mankind. Third grader seeks information about Utah Editor, I am a third grader at Durbin Elementary in Noblesville, Indiana. I am going to be learning about the United States in my social studies class. Could you assist me by writing or sending me a postcard from your state? Our goal is to receive 500 postcards to make our American Pictoral Portrait. We will write back to let you know our results. Please send cardsletters to: Durbin Elementary Mrs. Betty Anderson 1 8000 Durbin Road Noblesville, IN 46060 Becky Weaver Carol Smith Bountiful t |