A More Perfect Union has been established to engender exploration, explanation, and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States, serve as introduction to the leaders who made the Constitution, and follow its development as well as its historical context, antecedents, and implications for the future course of the nation; to facilitate the national discussion on the meaning, intent and relevance of the United States Constitution; to serve as in instrument to enable the general public, particularly young Americans, a means for internalizing the plan and aspirations of the Constitution in order to help move our nation closer to the ideals set forth in the preamble.

Overview

There is more sound and fury than ever around the U. S. Constitution these days, and as ever, it signifies nothing—aside from amplifying the often absurd arguments of comparatively small but vociferous interests who tend to make the lion’s share of the racket.

The national dialogue has a profound need for a common source of information regarding the Constitution of the United States; a place where people of all ages can go to find simple, honest, disinterested answers. Ideally, these answers would occupy tiered levels of complexity, with the most basic and simple explanations and illustrations at the top level, and providing more detail, context, and objective, factually sound interpretation, the further the user would wish to pursue any particular aspect. Young people under high school age need an introduction memorably presented and clearly explained, which will entertain as it provides them with a few attractive early steps towards responsible citizenship, and will offer some substantive preparation for civics lessons in the classroom. As they progress through school, they would benefit from an extracurricular supplement, a research resource and reference.

Most adults, we believe, would admit that they could use at minimum a refresher course to help clarify some of the larger issues before them at election and other times, and to help them evaluate current events and policy debates at all times. Most would prefer that course to be offered in terms other than arcane or archaic legal jargon. That is the ground and condition of A More Perfect Union.

In order to provide the most accessible and engaging route to constitutional study for the general public, we draw on one of America’s richest and most cherished media traditions: the political cartoon. Rather than appropriating what has been done in the past, however, A More Perfect Union will add to and update this tradition, with a new cast of characters that will entertain readers and viewers while escorting them through the twisting corridors of constitutional history and thought.

We believe that most people, given the facts, will make decisions with a bias to the good and generally humane. In other words, we believe that most people agree with the ideas set forth in the preamble.

But if history has proven anything, it’s that democracies last only as long as they are participatory. Ultimately, we get the leaders we deserve. If you haven’t been too impressed with what you’ve been getting lately, it’s up to you to raise the bar. But that will only happen when we the people refuse to entrust the understanding of the national charter to others.