The U.S. Government was formed by citizens.  A system of representatives were elected by the people, for the people, to act on behalf of the people.  We the People agreed with that structure of government, creating the precedence, that government providers will have limited powers and must provide government as it is written in the founding documents, laws and ethics.  That agreement is now referred to as “Consent of the Governed”.  The political force of Popular Sovereignty resulted, acting as the lifeblood of the United State of America’s system of government.

Therefore, U.S. citizens were recognized by founders as the Nations’ only source of power and were assigned freedom of speech to prevent censorship, punishment or dismissal of the public voice required for a representative republic. 

The 1st Amendment  –  Freedom of Speech
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The U.S. Constitution is a charter that limits government by granting and limiting specific capacities by social, ethical, and practical realities that extend beyond codified laws comprising the “rule of law”.  The 10th Amendment limits federal power to protect state sovereignty and prevent an overly strong central government.  Government overreach is challenged by checks and balances between branches of government and being accountable to the citizens.  Powers not granted to government by the Constitution reside with States and We the People.

The 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Constitutions and laws assign power to be utilized by citizens or government as a self balancing system.  In a representative democracy citizens must abide by guidance of legislation while government functions according to prescription of We the People simultaneously.

At the 1863 Gettysburg Address, founder Abraham Lincoln stated, “Of the people, by the people, for the people”, as an admission U.S. Government is within hands of U.S. citizens, as ratified nearly one-hundred years earlier.

Citizen leaders, forefathers, established the United States during the 1770s and became identified as representatives of the country.  Still to this day citizens manage the U.S. government and can enter government.

U.S. Constitution  -The Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.

The founding docs grant We the People power to care for themselves and manage U.S. Government through governmental actions including elections, relate with reps, public debate, attend local meetings, shape policies, joining interest groups, disseminate information, peaceful protests and join campaigns for example.  Citizens can direct elected reps to uphold public ambitions, contest failures and become part of government by running for office!  

U.S. government is not legally required to act on direct, daily instructions from citizens.  Instead elected reps are influenced by spoken public ambitions to deliver expectations that align with the Constitution.  Public expectations can be met if citizens inform reps and show them clear understanding for the purpose of electing reps.  Unified, organized, and expressive groups of citizens are more often heard.  

Ask reps why goals aren’t met so the plan or end product can be altered to reach the finish line.  Successful ways to motivate reps can be found in historical records, non-profit advocacy groups, legal professionals, labor unions, specialized lobbying firms, university staff, and experienced citizens.