I first heard of the free, pocket sized edition of the Constitution, available from the Heritage Foundation, while listening to the Laura Ingraham show 2 or 3 months ago. I went to the Heritage Foundation website and signed up to receive my free copy. About a week later I received my copy in the mail. I was immediately impressed with the little book, which also included the Declaration of Independence.
Every other copy of the Constitution I had ever seen, was just that, a copy of the original, written, in not so easy to read, calligraphy. This, was a printed copy, paper bound, with John Trumbull’s, Signing of the Declaration, on the cover. The little book only measures 3.5 X 6.5 inches, so it truly is pocket sized, easy to carry around, and keep handy. Yet the type inside the book is normal sized and easy to read, even for my 46 year old eyes.
As I began to read the words crafted so carefully by our country’s founders, I suddenly began to feel empowered, and I started carrying it around with me everywhere. I would read it in the morning with coffee. I would read it while eating lunch. I would read it in the bathroom. I would read it before bed. I read it, and read it, and read it, over and over again. The more I read it, the more I understood it. I’m still reading it.
I began to love my little pocket Constitution and decided it would be nice to have some additional copies. I had read that they where available for $1 apiece. Suddenly, I had a great idea, I would hand out copies of this little book at my bar, the Amazing Bar & Grill. I decided I would call the Heritage Foundation and order 50 copies.
I called the number listed for the Heritage Foundation Bookstore (800-544-4843) and strangely got their voice mail, but I left a message with my phone number and intentions. The next day I got a call from a gentleman requesting my address and informing me they were sending out the 50 copies free of charge. Two days later, I received the package.
I was very excited when I opened the package to find exactly 50 fresh, brand new copies of the book. Using large rubber bands, I quickly bundled them up into neat little piles of 10 to take down to the bar. Before I left the condo I ran into my first two recipients, my daughters, Bonnie & Sarah.
It was a thrill to give them both their own personal copy of the Constitution, and explain to them how important it will be in their future, that, they be more than familiar with the document.
I then headed down to the Bar with two bundles of 10 copies to place in my drawer where they would wait for their new owners. It didn’t take long. The first few copies went out to my closest friends in the complex and many of their teenage children. Then, to the rest of my regular guests. I was particularly interested in the young people, the older people are generally a lot more patriotic and knowledgeable on the subject. When I gave a copy to my oldest daughter’s boyfriend (that’s right, I said boyfriend), I jokingly said,
“I expect you to have that memorized by next summer.”
He excepted the challenge and soon, the many other kids in the complex decieded to join in. The challenge was on! Ironically, Bonnie’s summer extra credit project, is a study of the Constitution, which we just found out about 2 days ago. Marcia’s response was,
“Fortunately, you have your own personal copy of the Constitution and a Dad that can, and will, help you with it.”
I was proud and excited by the opportunity.
I was quite careful in handing out individual copies of the book, as I didn’t want them to be represented as worthless leaflet trash. My policy was 1 per family, unless they had teenage children, in that case, each child would receive their own personal copy. Never the less, I handed out my first 20 copies in less than 48 hours. My approach was always the same. Talk with them a little, hear them out, and then, I would open my drawer, and say,
“Hold on a minute, I have a little gift I want to give you, it’s your own personal copy of the constitution.”
I would pull the little book from my drawer, turn it around, so the cover faced them, and then hand it to them. The result was 98% positive and always led to great, stimulating, political discussion, which is good.
I brought down another 20 copies from the condo and handed them out in the same manner. With each person, I would explain that this was a private organization providing these booklets, not the Federal Government, I would also point out the fine work the Heritage foundation does and encourage them to visit the website.
In 10 days, I had given out 42 copies of the Constitution, each with it’s own political discussion. I realized too late, I didn’t order enough copies. There are 204 condos at Parkview Bay. Counting family and friends of each unit, I could easily hand out a thousand copies. Once again, I called the offices of the Heritage Foundation, thanked them for the prior 50 copies, and requested another 100. Again, I offered to pay for them, again, they said, “no charge.” I expect them any day now. I have been extra conservative in handing out my last 8 copies, but at the time of this writing, I have 2 copies left.
This has been a great mission, as well as, an experiment in human nature. It has been very interesting and stimulating to hand a copy of the Constitution to someone and watch their expression. Most of them have been shocked, then curious, then excited. One person out of 48 threw it on the ground and walked away. I wanted to kick her ass, but I didn’t, instead, I recycled her copy and gave it to another person that appreciated it.
I’m hoping the next shipment from the Heritage Foundation arrives soon, and I can continue my mission as, “The Constitution Man” of Parkview Bay.
If you know me, or know of me, I would encourage you to come on down and get your personal copy of the Constitution. If not, please contact the Heritage Foundation.
God bless America.
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