When I was in high school, we had to learn the preamble to both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution for our American government class. The preamble for the Constitution was easier to learn, because quite simply it was shorter.

I remember everyone in class stressing about it as the preambles were assigned, but we had a while to learn them and the assignments were at different times during the semester. I think what also made the task a little easier is that everyone had heard of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” and “We the People of the United States, in Order to form form a more perfect Union …” After that, it was a crapshoot who would learn them and who wouldn’t. As a refresher (or maybe a first read) here they are:

Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Preamble to the Constitution

“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, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The teacher never told us why we had to learn them. I guess it was one of those hidden lessons we’re suppose to just learn on our own. But if I were a betting man, I’d think he wanted us to learn them to know what our Founding Fathers envisioned for the country’s future, and why they fought so hard for their freedom.

I’ve been thinking a lot about those preambles lately, and how so many people bring up the two documents and what their rights are and why they can do and say what they want and how they want it, etc. I’m always amazed in listening to news clips on TV and radio, and in personal discussions as well, how much people actually don’t get what the Constitution and Declaration of Independence are all about. In fact, many times you will hear people mix up the two altogether.

The other reason — and the more important reason — I’ve been thinking about the preambles lately is all the “noise” that is taking place now. We don’t seem to talk to each other anymore, but rather just talk at each other. Everyone seems to want to talk and no one wants to listen.

How did we get here?

This has been a long time coming, it didn’t just started with the 2016 election. That just seemed to make it an art form.

Have we thrown out decorum, grace and class to make our point and discourage others from making theirs? Have we decided that we need to get louder and louder to drown out true debate and conversation?

Happiness is mentioned twice in the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Are we achieving happiness? How about a more perfect Union, do we really have one?

The humanity displayed during Hurricane Harvey — and will be on display following Hurricane Irma — provides a glimmer of hope that we as a country are so much better than the negative behavior that has been on full display in recent years. Forgive me, however, if I think it’s only going to be a temporary reprieve.

Steve Murch can be reached via email at smurch@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5686. Follow Steve on Twitter @sm_alpenanews.