On The Purpose of the Constitution

The article by Chloe Veltman published by NPR on July 3, 2026, contained an egregious error, and promulgated libertarian propaganda from the Cato Institute.

The article reviewed results from a public survey conducted by Cato.  Not surprisingly, the survey contained both objective questions and highly politicized framings intended to sway public opinion.  The author Veltman failed to distinguish between these items, and accepted Cato’s framing of a survey question as objective fact.  

Veltman reported correctly that nearly half of Americans don’t know what the 250th July 4th anniversary commemorates.  Veltman then reported the next finding, with the egregious error, writing: 

“This civic ignorance extends to basic governance: Nearly 60% do not know the 
main purpose of the U.S. Constitution is to limit government power….”  

In what world, other than in Cato Institute’s distorted world-view, is the main purpose of the U.S. Constitution to limit government power?  Seriously, WTAF, NPR??   The Constitution primarily defines and grants government power.  

The Preamble declares the purpose of the Constitution.  In full, it reads: “"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.”  Nowhere in the preamble is limiting the power of government mentioned.  

The Constitution defines the structure of government for the nation and the states, and enumerates the powers of each.  The Constitution defines the roles of Congress, the Presidency and the Courts.  The Constitution details the relationship between the Federal authority and the states.  The Constitution provides for its own amendments, declares that it is the supreme law of the land, and set the  terms for ratification.  Twenty-seven amendments modify the original document, including the first ten amendments as the Bill of Rights.  

The blessings of liberty are protected by the government, not threatened.  The Constitution does establish limits to government power, but also grants the government power to ensure justice and general welfare, without which there is no liberty for the common man.

The article quotes Dr. Jack Rakove, author of a Pulitzer Prize winning review of the Constitution, “Original Meanings”.  I suspect that Dr. Rakove would take great exception to the idea that the purpose of the  Constitution is to limit government.  I plan to write to him, and ask that question.

This NPR article is a sad case of failed journalism.  The author did not think critically about the survey questions posed by Cato, or recognize the biased framing in that question.  Indeed, I’m disappointed that 40% of the respondents agreed with Cato regarding the purpose of the Constitution.  NPR promulgated propaganda posing as a survey.  

Propaganda expands to fill every void of understanding and inadequate education.

https://www.npr.org/2026/07/03/nx-s1-5881451/cato-institute-250th-july-4th-constitution-declaration-of-independence-poll