To say “I AM SORRY” means to express remorse or regret for something you have done or failed to do that has caused harm, hurt, or inconvenience to another person, entity, organization, etc,. It is a way of acknowledging responsibility for your actions and showing empathy towards the person who has been affected. In America we seem to have lost all sense of propriety with our elected officials constantly barraging each other with barbs, accusations and name calling, spreading false rumors and spending their time locked in battle on every issue. The America political machine is at war, a civil war of Red vs. Blue! It is time for the American people to stand up and to say STOP IT NOW! and get back to the work of serving the people who elected you as this war is destroying the fabric of our society.

The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, states that the government was established 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.” The phrase “more perfect” implies that the framers recognized that the government was not perfect, and that there was room for improvement. By establishing a new system of government with a written constitution, the framers hoped to create a more perfect union than had previously existed under the Articles of Confederation, which had proven to be ineffective at governing the nation.

In essence, the phrase “to form a more perfect Union” expresses the idea that the government was established to create a stronger and more unified nation, one that would be better able to meet the needs and aspirations of its citizens. It reflects the belief that the United States was not yet a perfect union, but that it had the potential to become one through the establishment of a strong and effective federal government. I do not know of one person in my lifetime who would say that our founders dreams have been fulfilled in this respect and it is time we take action to reverse the war being fought and to do so at the ballot box.

Continuing, the phrase “establish Justice” in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution refers to the government’s responsibility to create a fair and impartial legal system that applies equally to all citizens, regardless of their social status, wealth, or political power. The framers of the Constitution believed that the government had a duty to ensure that justice was served and that the rights of individuals were protected. Again, the American people have been forsaken as it is obvious to even a casual observer that justice is not served equally to Americans and we are devalued as a people by not protecting the rights of our citizens.

The phrase “insure domestic Tranquility” refers to the government’s responsibility to maintain peace and order within the United States. This includes preventing and addressing domestic unrest, such as riots, protests, and other forms of civil disobedience, as well as protecting citizens from criminal activities, such as robbery and murder. America lacks peace, order, and calm within our nation’s borders as every day we are subject to significant social, political, or economic disruptions. It is impossible to live our daily lives without experiencing major disruptions which destroy social stability and provide clear and present threats to the safety and security of our citizenry. Our government has failed miserably to provide a stable and secure society in which people can live and work without fear of violence or injustice.

Continuing, the phrase “provide for the common defense” means that the government is responsible for protecting the country and its citizens from external threats, including military attacks and terrorism. The government is tasked with creating and maintaining a military force that is capable of defending the nation’s interests and protecting its citizens. Once again, our government has failed the American people as they have been ineffective against domestic terrorism, the infiltration of drugs crossing our borders, gang violence, and the increase of crime throughout our country.

The phrase “promote the general Welfare” means that the government is responsible for creating and enforcing policies that promote the well-being and prosperity of all citizens, such as public education, public health, and infrastructure development. This phrase indicates that the government has a responsibility to ensure that all citizens have access to basic necessities and opportunities for success.

In 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked America’s public education system 36th out of 79 countries in reading proficiency, 30th in math proficiency, and 19th in science proficiency among 15-year-old students in the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). We ranked 37th in the world in terms of overall healthcare system performance, based on factors such as access to care, quality of care, health outcomes, and other indicators. In infrastructure America ranked 13th out of 141 countries in infrastructure quality which takes into account factors such as the quality of roads, railroads, ports, airports, and electricity supply. However, the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2021 Infrastructure Report Card gave the US an overall grade of C-, with specific areas such as roads, transit, and aviation receiving grades of D or D+. These assessments suggest that while the US has a solid foundation in infrastructure, there is a need for significant investment and improvements to meet the needs of the country’s growing population and economy.

The phrase “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” means that the government must protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens, both now and in the future. This includes the right to free speech, freedom of religion, and the right to a fair trial, among others. This phrase also implies a responsibility to preserve and protect the Constitution and the principles of democracy for future generations. In America free speech has been suppressed on College campuses, in social media and in the “free” press, freedom of religion is protected in our ability to worship as we please but tell that to the people who are being slaughtered in churches, synagogues and mosques who have been massacred by gunman, ostracized by communities  and persecuted by the IRS. It is Freedom to Worship at your own risk in America.

I conclude this section with the right of Americans to a fair trial which is a great American joke. Our court system is plagued with Judges who advocate judicial political activism which undermines the democratic process by allowing unelected judges to make decisions that should be made by elected officials or the people themselves. The courts have exhibited racial and socio-economic bias with evidence to suggest that the US criminal justice system is biased against minorities and those from low-income backgrounds.

The court has also condoned police brutality and misconduct, raising concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the legal system in addition to allowing Americans with low-income backgrounds to have inadequate legal representation coupled with lengthy pretrial detentions making it difficult for them to mount a proper defense in court and leading to unfair convictions and sentencing. Many people in the US are held in jail for long periods of time before they are even convicted of a crime. This can have serious consequences for their employment, housing, and family relationships, and can make it more difficult for them to mount a proper defense in court.

World history is replete with protagonists seeking to make amends and apologizing for their bad behavior, cynicism, condensation, and arrogance.

The Old and New Testament and the Koran contain many examples of apologies and expressions of regret, particularly in the context of repentance and seeking forgiveness from God.

1. King David’s apology to God for his affair with Bathsheba and his role in the death of her husband,
2. Job’s apology to God for questioning God’s wisdom.
3. Jonah’s apology to God for his initial reluctance to carry out God’s will.
4. In the Gospel of Luke the prodigal son made an apology to his father after squandering his inheritance.
5. Peter apologized to Jesus in the Gospel of Mark for denying knowing Jesus and expresses his desire to make amends for his betrayal.
6. Zacchaeus apologized to Jesus for cheating people and offers to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay those he has cheated.
7. In the Gospel of Luke, one of the criminals who is being crucified with Jesus acknowledges his sin, asks for forgiveness and receives a promise of salvation.
8. The hypocrites’ apology to Allah (Quran 9:112): for professing to believe in Allah but secretly harbor disbelief and ill-will.
9. The Meccans’ apology to the Prophet Muhammad (Quran 48:25-26) for their persecution of the early Muslims and for driving them from their homes.

Saying I am sorry, can help to repair damaged relationships and show that you value the feelings of others. However, it is important to remember that an apology is only meaningful if it is sincere and accompanied by a genuine effort to make amends or change our behavior in the future. When a person does not apologize for their mistakes, it can create tension and resentment in the relationship and perpetuate a cycle of negative behavior and lead to further conflict. It may cause the other person to feel unheard, invalidated, or unimportant. Over time, this can lead to a breakdown in communication, loss of trust, and ultimately damage or end a relationship. I can think of no better example than what occurs in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. While the percentage of time that Democrats and Republicans vote along party lines varies depending on the specific issue or bill being considered. In general, however, there has been an increase in party-line voting in recent years, particularly on issues that are seen as particularly divisive or politically charged.

On the other hand, offering a sincere apology can be a powerful way to repair relationships and rebuild trust. When someone takes responsibility for their actions and shows empathy for the other person’s feelings, it can demonstrate a willingness to work towards resolution and healing. In America we need healing and to have our politicians united with a readiness to work together to solve America’s many problems.

It is imperative that both Republicans and Democrats set aside their differences and work towards making amends to end the stagnation in Washington. This will help advance the cause of the Founding Fathers in creating a republic that honors the Preamble and the Constitution. Apologies and expressions of regret are powerful tools that convey a sense of remorse and recognition of one’s own shortcomings. They can serve as a way to highlight the importance of humility and the submission to the greater good. It is time for our political leaders to put aside their partisan agendas and work towards a brighter future for all Americans.

Looking to more modern but still ancient times apology was the norm and it fostered the birth of freedom in the classical world of Greece and Rome. In ancient Greece and Rome, apologies and expressions of regret were common practices and were seen as important ways to maintain social harmony and build trust between individuals and groups. This practice of apologizing helped to foster a culture of freedom, where individuals were free to express their opinions and ideas without fear of retribution or punishment.

Similarly, in the United States, the Preamble and the Constitution were established to create a new nation founded on principles of liberty, equality, and justice. These principles were inspired by the classical world of Greece and Rome, and the Founding Fathers sought to create a society that respected individual rights and freedoms.

Just as apologies and expressions of regret helped to foster the birth of freedom in ancient times, the principles of the Preamble and the Constitution continue to guide the United States towards a more perfect union. However, in order to achieve this goal, it is important for individuals and groups to recognize their own shortcomings and work towards making amends. By doing so, we can continue to build a more just and equitable society, one that honors the legacy of the Founding Fathers and the principles of freedom and democracy that they established.

In conclusion, it is clear that apologies and expressions of regret are essential for maintaining social harmony, preserving moral integrity, and building trust between individuals and communities. This has been true throughout history, from ancient Greece and Rome to modern times. The Preamble and the Constitution of the United States were founded on principles of freedom, equality, and justice, and it is important for Republicans and Democrats to set aside their differences and work together towards the betterment and strengthening of America. By acknowledging our fallibility and taking responsibility for our actions, we can return to the dreams and aspirations of our Founding Fathers for a republic where freedom and individuality for all are paramount. As we move forward, we should look to the examples of leaders like George Washington, Immanuel Kant, Pope John Paul II, Kevin Rudd, Ronald Reagan, Nelson Mandela, Shinzo Abe, and Donald Trump, as well as our current President Biden, who have all recognized the power of apologies in building a more just and equitable world.