Survey says: Time to read the Constitution

Sometimes political views taint visions of reality.

For instance, some people swear Fox News is fair and balanced and others believe MSNBC is balanced and fair.

No, really, I’m serious. People actually believe the finger-wagging, tongue-clucking, sly-smiling, wink-wink, nudge-nudge network talking heads are not ax-grinding, blame-throwing, credit-sucking slant slingers purposefully posturing political views for personal gain.

Go figure.

To see how easily political views overcome rational minds, consider the latest survey of constitutional knowledge conducted by the Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier and Colonial Williamsburg.

The Constitution delineates what powers belong to the federal government. It outlines what powers belong to the states. It even gives power to the people by taking power away from the government via the Bill of Rights.

But in the study, 56 percent of voters between 18 and 24 years old don’t believe the Constitution limits the power of government. Some 62 percent of respondents between 25 and 34 years don’t believe it, either. In fact, half of voters over 55 don’t believe it.

The Constitution gives authority to government to provide for common defense, to regulate interstate commerce, to do good for the people. The majority of respondents, however, disagreed.

“People see what’s going on in politics and it affects how they perceive the Constitution,” said Sean O’Brien, of the Center for the Constitution at Montpelier. “It changes their perceptions of limited power and the common good.”

Of course both Montpelier and Williamsburg have axes to grind. Both want people to understand the Constitution and the roles both organizations played in the document’s creation. What they don’t give a hoot about is the political views of those who read the land’s rule of law.

“We’re not political. We just want to make sure people understand the Constitution and try to present the ideas which the Constitution espouses,” Mr. O’Brien said. “In the case of teachers, police officers and politicians, we want them to understand how the Constitution defines us as a people and a nation.”

All is not lost, however.

“I’m a glass half full guy,” Mr. O’Brien said. “There are things in the survey that are very concerning and leave me wondering what people are thinking. There are other things that are heartening, like the fact that a majority believe the Constitution still works today.”

Other things that pleased Mr. O’Brien include the fact that the majority of people between 18 and 24 years old have read the Constitution. That he credits to Virginia’s role in birthing the nation and the commonwealth’s pride in playing such a huge part.

“As a state, we’re dedicated to teaching history and the Constitution and it shows in the responses,” he said. “What’s disturbing is that, when young people are first getting out of school and going to college, they should know more about the Constitution than they ever will.”

As for political perceptions overruling the rule of law, education may be the best attack.

“We obviously have a lot of work to do,” Mr. O’Brien said. “We have people saying they’ve haven’t read the Constitution but the Constitution is what makes us who we are. Hopefully, we can get people to read it. It doesn’t take that long, it’s only 4,400 words.”