As unfunded mandates go, this one's not so bad.

Tomorrow, September 17, is Constitution Day/Citizenship Day. Schools around the country are now required by law to study and celebrate our national blueprint.

I think it's a great idea, though a little sad that it takes a federal law to encourage schools to honor this document.

A lot of lefties are derisive of this kind of thing. They think any expression of patriotism is an endorsement of a corrupt and amoral government.

I think that's absolutely the wrong attitude. There are plenty of problems with the United States, particularly with her government. I don't dispute that. But I also believe with every fiber of my being that this country has been the vehicle for radical worldwide progressive change during her 228-year history.

Despite reactionary forces that have constantly tried to forestall and reverse that progress during that time, the Constitution was one of the catalysts behind the radical redefinition of what government could and should do for its citizens.

And so I celebrate Citizenship Day tomorrow, not because I think the United States is better than other countries and not because I think our government is the best the world has ever seen. I celebrate because the Constitution gave the world an unprecedented gateway to progressivism.

You can read the Constitution online. I highly recommend it. I carry a copy of it around with me in my bag.