the words "we the people" turned into a strong statement that this new government was made by the people of the united states, to benefit the people of the united states. when virginia's delegates were debating the constitution, governor edmund randolph pointed out: "the government is for the people; and the [problem] was, that the people had no [power] in the government before." if the people are going to have to follow the government, he said, should not the people be the ones to create that government?