Our Nation’s Comms Origin Story

In strategic communications, we talk about knowing where you came from and telling your story consistently. On this inauguration day, here are links to our nation’s founding documents that define our democracy story.

Today we celebrate the key principles of democracy enshrined in the founding documents of the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Join us in reviewing the tenets of our freedom: 

1. Rule of Law

• The government and its officials are subject to the law, ensuring no one is above it. This principle is explicitly reinforced in the Constitution through the Supremacy Clause (Article VI), which establishes the Constitution as the highest law of the land.

2. Popular Sovereignty

• The authority of the government comes from the people. This is expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution with the phrase "We the People," emphasizing that governance is by the consent of the governed.

3. Limited Government

• Government powers are restricted by the Constitution to prevent tyranny. This principle is outlined through specific enumerations of federal powers (Article I, Section 8) and the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states or the people.

4. Separation of Powers

• Government powers are divided among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any single entity from gaining excessive control (Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution).

5. Checks and Balances

• Each branch of government has mechanisms to limit the powers of the others, ensuring balance and preventing abuses of power (e.g., presidential vetoes, congressional impeachment powers, judicial review).

6. Federalism

• Power is shared between the federal and state governments, creating a system that balances local and national interests (Article IV and the Tenth Amendment).

7. Individual Rights

• Fundamental rights and freedoms are guaranteed to individuals, protecting them from government infringement. The Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) explicitly outlines these protections, including freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and due process.

8. Equality Under the Law

• The Declaration of Independence declares that "all men are created equal," and the Constitution seeks to provide equal protection under the law (reinforced in the Fourteenth Amendment).

9. Majority Rule with Minority Rights

• While decisions are made by majority rule, the rights of minority groups are safeguarded to ensure they are not oppressed. This is upheld through judicial review and constitutional protections.

10. Consent of the Governed

• Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the people, as stated in the Declaration of Independence. This principle underlies democratic elections and representation.

11. Judicial Independence

• The judiciary operates independently of the other branches to fairly interpret and apply the law, as established by lifetime appointments for federal judges under Article III of the Constitution.

12. Freedom of Expression and Press

• Enshrined in the First Amendment, these freedoms are crucial for a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to critique the government and participate in public discourse.

These principles collectively define the democratic framework of the United States and serve as a foundation for our governance, the legal system, and our personal rights and freedom.

Please join The EO Report in singing (Yes, seriously, wherever you are now, sing loud! Send us a video!) one of our favorite verses and the close to The Star-Spangled Banner, our country’s National Anthem:

And the rockets' red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave