explain why the amendment process is so difficult?
2006-12-11 15:50:09 · 8 answers · asked by Kali 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
So a slim majority couldn't change every thing when they got power. Imagine what would happen if only 50% was needed to change the constitution. We would be a socialist country by now.
2006-12-11 16:02:28 · answer #1 · answered by Beast 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an example of the Check and Balances in the Constitution. The Founders wanted to make sure that before the Constitution could be amended, there was sufficient debate on all of the ramifications of the proposed change. Now days, our politicians like to railroad legislation through before the legislators read it. This is called fast track.
Imagine you bought the first house that appealed to you without checking into the neighborhood, the taxes, the condition of the wiring and plumbing, whether or not the house had termites & c.
Most of the time we don't need an amendment. When the Supreme Court issues a ridiculous ruling, a simple majority in both houses of Congress can remove the issue from the Courts jurisdiction. And by the way, contrary to popular belief, Federal Judges do not serve lifetime appointments. They serve for good behavior. That means if they behave badly (begin issuing erratic or obviously unconstitutional rullings) they can be removed.
2006-12-11 15:58:17 · answer #2 · answered by iraqisax 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's mainly to prevent the current fad from becoming law. This is exactly what happened with prohibition.
It was extremely unpopular. It gave the mob business and thus increased crime.
Because these consequences weren't thought out before they happened, the amendment ended up being repealed.
To respond to another answer stating that no amendment has improved life... imagine if it was illegal to make such a statement. Imagine if slavery was legal and you just happened, by some coincidence, to be a slave.
I also think that allowing women to vote is generally a good idea. See, if you prevent them from voting, they prevent us from getting laid. In the country of Turkey, women, unhappy with (iirc) the wages their husbands were paying their employees, went on a sex strike for a few days. The problem was promptly fixed.
2006-12-11 19:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by Jack Schitt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order for the Constitution to be adopted, it had to be ratified by the states, so any change to the Constitution should carry that same requirement. It should not be an easy process because of the impact that an amendment to the Constitution can have.
2016-05-23 07:43:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So a simple majority can't change the Consitition. Plus the states need to radify. This is becase changing the Constition is very serious, because it is the Law of the Land. Actually there are two methods to admend the Constition.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_Five_of_the_United_States_Constitution
It is done this way so the federal government couldn't over ride states' rights.
2006-12-11 17:06:42 · answer #5 · answered by robling_dwrdesign 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It appears that it is getting easier every day. The constitution should be extremely difficult to amend. It has been diluted, abused, re-interpreted, adjusted, readjusted, added to, taken from and generally raped for several decades. So far, there is not one change that has improved our lives.
2006-12-11 16:02:35 · answer #6 · answered by howdigethere 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you have conservatives AND liberals. Checks and balances to everything.
2006-12-11 15:52:55 · answer #7 · answered by oceanse11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it were easy to change the constitution then we would all be in big trouble!!!
2006-12-11 16:16:17 · answer #8 · answered by Kyle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋