• We the people of the United States – these words make it clear that the authors of the Constitution wanted “the people” to be the ultimate authority – “popular sovereignty” or people power.

• form a more perfect Union – to create a better government than the Articles of Confederation, which was the constitution that existed at the time.

• establish Justice – to create a justice system, including courts, to bring order to the nation

• insure domestic Tranquillity – to bring peace at home, inside the country

• provide for the common defense – to create and maintain a national defense against other countries

• promote the general welfare – to help establish and maintain a healthy economy, population and society

• to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity – to bring freedom and liberty to the people now and in the future

• do ordain and establish – to invest with authority, to create and give The People’s power to