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<v Speaker 1>Helping leaders motivate their people to a higher level of

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<v Speaker 1>performance through strong human relations, team building, and goal achieving.

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<v Speaker 1>This is the seven Minute Leadership Podcast with your host

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<v Speaker 1>Paul fella Aledo.

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<v Speaker 2>Hello everyone, and welcome to the Seven Minute Leadership Podcast.

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<v Speaker 2>It's episode two fifty five, and today we're going to

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<v Speaker 2>do something a little different due to all the news

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<v Speaker 2>stories here in the United States. I want to take

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<v Speaker 2>a few minutes to break down the United States Constitution

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<v Speaker 2>as simply as possible and then explain the leadership lessons

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<v Speaker 2>that apply to all of us in that historic document.

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<v Speaker 2>The Constitution is the foundation of American law and government.

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<v Speaker 2>It was written in seventeen eighty seven and has been

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<v Speaker 2>the backbone of the country ever since. It's not just

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<v Speaker 2>in old document, it's a living set of rules that

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<v Speaker 2>still guide how we operate today. So let's go step

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<v Speaker 2>by step through each part of it, making it easy

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<v Speaker 2>to understand. First, we'll start with the preamble, which is

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<v Speaker 2>the why of the Constitution. The preamble is just one sentence,

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<v Speaker 2>but it explains why the Constitution exists. It starts with

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<v Speaker 2>we the People, which means the government is created by

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<v Speaker 2>and for the citizens. It then lists six main goals.

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<v Speaker 2>To form a more perfect union, which means make the

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<v Speaker 2>country stronger and more unified. To establish justice, create fair

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<v Speaker 2>laws and courts. To ensure domestic tranquility, keep peace within

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<v Speaker 2>the country. To provide for the common defense, protect against

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<v Speaker 2>foreign threats. To promote the general welfare, help citizens live

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<v Speaker 2>better lives. To secure the blessings of liberty. Protect freedom

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<v Speaker 2>for all future generations. So think of the Preamble as

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<v Speaker 2>the mission statement of the US government. Next is Article one,

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<v Speaker 2>the legislative branch, Congress. This part sets up Congress, which

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<v Speaker 2>is made up of two groups, the House of Representatives

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<v Speaker 2>in the Senate. The House of Representatives are representatives from

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<v Speaker 2>each state that are elected based on population. Larger states

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<v Speaker 2>have more representatives, and then the Senate. Each state gets

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<v Speaker 2>two senators no matter the size. Congress makes the laws

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<v Speaker 2>and has the power to collect taxes, borrow money, regulate trade,

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<v Speaker 2>declare war, and raise and support the military. Next is

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<v Speaker 2>Article two, the executive branch, the President. This article explains

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<v Speaker 2>the role of the president. The president's job is to

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<v Speaker 2>enforce the laws passed by Congress. In Some of those

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<v Speaker 2>key powers include acting as Commander in chief of the military,

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<v Speaker 2>making treaties with Senate approval, appointing judges and officials, giving

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<v Speaker 2>a State of the Union address, granting pardons. This article

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<v Speaker 2>also explains how the president is elected through the Electoral College.

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<v Speaker 2>Next is Article three the Judicial branch, the Supreme Court

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<v Speaker 2>and Federal Courts. This part creates the Supreme Court and

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<v Speaker 2>other federal courts. Their job is to interpret the laws

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<v Speaker 2>and make sure they follow the Constitution. The Supreme Court

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<v Speaker 2>has the final say in legal disputes and can rule

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<v Speaker 2>laws unconstitutional if they go against the Constitution. Next is

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<v Speaker 2>Article four that states rights and responsibilities in This article

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<v Speaker 2>explains how states work together in their relationship with the

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<v Speaker 2>federal government. It includes something called the full Faith and

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<v Speaker 2>Credit Clause, which means states must recognize other states laws

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<v Speaker 2>like drivers' licenses and marriage certificates. In government, every state

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<v Speaker 2>must have a government chosen by the people. Article five

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<v Speaker 2>how to amend or change the Constitution. Because the founders

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<v Speaker 2>knew the country would change, so they included a way

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<v Speaker 2>to add amendments. To amend the Constitution, two thirds of

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<v Speaker 2>Congress must propose a change, and then three fourths of

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<v Speaker 2>the states must approve it. So that's thirty eight states

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<v Speaker 2>out of fifty. This process makes sure changes are not

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<v Speaker 2>made too easily. Article six the Supremacy Clause. This article

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<v Speaker 2>says that the Constitution is the highest law of the land.

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<v Speaker 2>If there's ever a conflict between federal and state law,

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<v Speaker 2>federal law wins. It also states that government officials must

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<v Speaker 2>swear an oath to support the Constitution, and then Article

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<v Speaker 2>seven ratification, which means making the Constitution official. This article

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<v Speaker 2>explains how the Constitution was officially approved. It needed nine

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<v Speaker 2>out of thirteen states to agree to it before it

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<v Speaker 2>became law in seventeen eighty eight. So next is the

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<v Speaker 2>Bill of Rights. After the Constitution was approved, people wanted

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<v Speaker 2>more protections for individual freedoms. That led to the first

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<v Speaker 2>ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights. First Amendment,

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<v Speaker 2>which is freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

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<v Speaker 2>The Second Amendment the right to bear arms. The Third

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<v Speaker 2>Amendment no forced housing of soldiers. The Fourth Amendment no

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<v Speaker 2>unreasonable searches or seizures. The fifth Amendment the right to

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<v Speaker 2>remain silent, no double jeopardy in due process. The sixth

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<v Speaker 2>Amendment the right to a speedy and fair trial. The

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<v Speaker 2>seventh Amendment the right to a jury trial, in civil cases.

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<v Speaker 2>The eighth Amendment no cruel or unusual punishment, the ninth Amendment.

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<v Speaker 2>People have other rights that are protected that are not

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<v Speaker 2>listed in the Constitution. In the tenth Amendment, states have

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<v Speaker 2>powers not given to the federal government. And there are

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<v Speaker 2>other important amendments. There have been twenty seven total amendments.

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<v Speaker 2>Some of the most important ones the thirteenth Amendment, which

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<v Speaker 2>abolished slavery. The fourteenth Amendment gave citizenship and equal protection

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<v Speaker 2>under the law. The fifteenth Amendment the right to vote

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<v Speaker 2>can't be denied based on race, color, or enslavement. The

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<v Speaker 2>nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote. In the

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<v Speaker 2>twenty twenty second Amendment limited the president to two terms.

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<v Speaker 2>So now let's apply the Constitution to everyday leadership. Because

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<v Speaker 2>as leaders, whether in business, public service, or everyday life,

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<v Speaker 2>we can take valuable lessons from the US Constitution and

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<v Speaker 2>apply them to how we lead. The Constitution is more

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<v Speaker 2>than just a set of rules for government. It's a

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<v Speaker 2>framework for fairness, accountability, and the protection of individual rights.

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<v Speaker 2>And here's how we can incorporate it into the principles

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<v Speaker 2>of our own leadership. So, first, uphold fairness and justice.

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<v Speaker 2>So that's Article three. The judicial branch and the Bill

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<v Speaker 2>of Rights. The Constitution ensures that laws are applied fairly

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<v Speaker 2>and that people have rights such as due process and

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<v Speaker 2>equal protection. And as leaders, we must make sure that

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<v Speaker 2>we treat people fairly, make impartial decisions and avoid favoritism.

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<v Speaker 2>If someone brings a concern to you, listen, objectively, consider

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<v Speaker 2>the facts, and make a just decision, just like a

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<v Speaker 2>court would. Next is protect freedom of speech and open communication.

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<v Speaker 2>So that's First Amendment. The First Amendment guarantees the right

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<v Speaker 2>to speak freely. As leaders, we should encourage open and

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<v Speaker 2>honest communication within our teams. Employees, team members, or colleagues

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<v Speaker 2>should feel comfortable voice and concerns, presenting new ideas, or

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<v Speaker 2>offering feedback without fear of retaliation. A culture of free

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<v Speaker 2>speech leads to innovation in stronger teams. Next is respect

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<v Speaker 2>the balance of power. So that's Articles one, two, and three.

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<v Speaker 2>The Constitution divides power between different branches of government to

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<v Speaker 2>prevent tyranny. As leaders, we should do the same. Micromanaging

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<v Speaker 2>or hoarding all decision making weakens trust and morale. Instead,

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<v Speaker 2>delegate responsibilities, empower others to lead, and insure a system

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<v Speaker 2>of checks and balances exists in your organization or team. Next,

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<v Speaker 2>be transparent and accountable. This is Article six. Every government

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<v Speaker 2>official swears an oath to uphold the Constitution. This symbolizes

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<v Speaker 2>accountability in leadership. We must also lead with integrity, own

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<v Speaker 2>our mistakes, and be transparent about our decisions. If you

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<v Speaker 2>make a wrong call, admit it, fix it, and move forward,

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<v Speaker 2>and then adapt and in over time. That's Article five,

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<v Speaker 2>amending the Constitution. The Constitution was designed to be updated

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<v Speaker 2>as times change, and the same applies to leadership. Leaders

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<v Speaker 2>must continuously learn, grow and adapt to new challenges. Just

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<v Speaker 2>because something worked in the past doesn't mean it's the

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<v Speaker 2>best approach today. Be open to change, listen to new perspectives,

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<v Speaker 2>and be willing to revise your leadership style when necessary.

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<v Speaker 2>And then protect individual rights and well being. So that's

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<v Speaker 2>the Bill of Rights and all the Civil rights amendments.

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<v Speaker 2>Great leadership means ensuring that people under your leadership feel valued, protected,

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<v Speaker 2>and respected. Just as the Bill of Rights guarantees personal freedoms.

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<v Speaker 2>Leaders should create an environment where employees are team members

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<v Speaker 2>feel safe, respected and supported. Whether it's fostering an inclusive

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<v Speaker 2>workplace or standing up against injustice, leaders should champion the

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<v Speaker 2>rights of others, and then last is making decisions for

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<v Speaker 2>the greater good. This goes back to the preamble promoting

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<v Speaker 2>the general welfare. The Constitution was created to serve the

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<v Speaker 2>people and ensure the well being of all. As leaders,

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<v Speaker 2>our goal should be the same. Good leaders don't just

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<v Speaker 2>focus on personal gain or short short term success. They

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<v Speaker 2>make decisions that benefit their teams, customers, and communities in

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<v Speaker 2>the long run. So the US Constitution is a blueprint

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<v Speaker 2>for leadership, emphasizing fairness, accountability, balance, adaptability in the protection

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<v Speaker 2>of individual rights. If we apply these principles in our

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<v Speaker 2>daily lives as leaders, we will create stronger teams, build trust,

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<v Speaker 2>and leave a positive legacy. If you take anything away

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<v Speaker 2>from this, remember the Constitution is about protecting freedoms, creating fairness,

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<v Speaker 2>and making sure the government works for the people, not

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<v Speaker 2>the other way around. This has been the seven minute

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<v Speaker 2>leadership pot and I thank you for listening.

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<v Speaker 1>For more Paul Fell of Alito Podcasts, visit paulfellowalito dot com.