In our family, summer wouldn’t be complete without the exciting and unpredictable adventure of a road trip.  This year, our plans are both practical and enjoyable.  It’s time for our son to begin the great college search -- and so as we make our way to and from Washington D.C., we plan to visit a few school campuses.  Thankfully, it doesn’t cost anything to look and dream.

Cruising the highways and byways in our truck while towing a trailer, the West family is an interesting sight to see.  Some nights, we camp in Wal-Mart parking lots [incidentally, so does Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who reportedly loves to drive his RV across the country during the summer months].  Don’t be surprised if many of the future articles in this space will cover some of the wildly entertaining and challenging events of the trip. 

One of the cool things about visiting Washington D.C. revolves around the opportunity to visit the U.S. Capitol.  What a mighty architectural marvel!   In order to enjoy the bonus of a special tour, we contacted our representative several months in advance.  In short order we received an appointment time along with very specific instructions.  We’ll be there! 

But this got me thinking. It’s not too often that I’m afforded the honor to speak to my elected official.  Surely, this will be a quick hello and a brief “thanks for your support” kind of meeting. But what would I say if I really had his ear, or what if I were invited to speak my mind in front of Congress or more likely, before a committee hearing?  What would I say?

I’ve thought about it.

I’d begin my addressing the need to prioritize our problems and challenges.  In the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, it states that the nation is committed to promoting “the general welfare” of the Union. But what is our “general welfare” anyway?  The American Heritage Dictionary’s definition is as follows: “Health, happiness, or prosperity; well-being.”  Posted on the website http://www.usconstitution.net is a note that reads:

“Welfare in today's context also means organized efforts on the part of public or private organizations to benefit the poor, or simply public assistance. This is not the meaning of the word as used in the Constitution.”