When did our mission statement change?

[jor_mama]

I've oft considered the Preamble to the Constitution to be the mission statement of our great country. It comes before all the articles and all the amendments, as if it were framed on the front desk of the framers' proverbial offices.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.

Some initial thoughts ...

• A more perfect UNION, not a more perfect world. Not that we don't want to see that happen, or that citizens of ours can't help in that endeavor, but it's not our NATION'S job as a whole as I read this.
  
• DOMESTIC tranquility, not legislate peace in other countries, except when it has bearing on the common DEFENCE (sic, 1700's grammar, sorry :) ).
  
• Promote general welfare: Such as ensuring jobs in this country STAY in this country. Not so they help in making some other land a more perfect union.
  
• Securing the blessings of liberty to OURSELVES. Again, I don't see anything about us being a beacon to the world. As an example of how it can work, sure. But as a force to sway the masses around the globe, nope.
  

[murray hill farm]

1. Frightening, isnt it?

I do not know when it changed, but it has changed. I think that our country no longer resembles what it once stood for..and that it has evolved ..perhaps so slowly that it was barely noticed at all. Even today, close to 50% of americans..or so it appears in the polls..actually do approve of the direction and actions of our country..and are not alamed at all that it no longer stands for..or even resembles that origional mission.

[MadcityRock]

2. Bush lied to God when he swore the oath

The oath of office says:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
NOT "to protect the American people," but the Constitution.

Bush hasn't read the Constitution, doesn't know what it says, or why it is there. He had no intention of upholding the oath, sworn with his hand on a Bible. He was lying to God and everybody, and maybe most Americans can forget about that, but God won't.