The program comprises a layperson’s guide to the U.S. Constitution, presented in tiered levels of complexity ranging from general grade-school level readership to in-depth articles, essays, and archives. Its ambitious goal is to explore and illustrate — in accessible language and pictures — the entire document, as well as its historical antecedents, contexts, and continuance through the centuries to our own time.
It represents a revolutionary approach to the national civics discourse: Lucid explanations of constitutional principles, dramatically presented through the graphic vocabulary of that time-honored art form, the political cartoon. Through explanations in plain English, in vignettes that intrigue and entertain as they illustrate all sides of every debate of every principle, and in layperson’s terms, A More Perfect Union can ultimately help provide a reasonably full, inveterately rational understanding of the document’s total content and rich history. A television series would provide an overview/narrative history and connect it to the current state of affairs. Books and educational texts in various forms will supplement broadcast information with explanations geared to different age groups; CD- and/or DVD-ROM will provide an upgradeable, richly graphic in-depth reference. A web site will heighten exposure and powerfully enhance immediacy and reinforcement of the reference utility with ongoing news and updates, and community features that will encourage and facilitate questions, dialogue, and further thought.