What do you think the Constitution is. Is it just a piece of paper or is it what we follow in government?

Answer 1

A constitution is a system, often codified as a written document, that establishes the rules and principles that govern an organization or political entity. In the case of countries, this term refers specifically to a national constitution defining the fundamental political principles, and establishing the structure, procedures, powers and duties, of a government. Most national constitutions also guarantee certain rights to the people. Historically, before the evolution of modern-style, codified national constitutions, the term constitution could be applied to any important law that governed the functioning of a government.

The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America.

The Preamble states:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.

Article One establishes the legislative branch of government, U.S. Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch makes the laws.

Article Two describes the presidency (the executive branch): procedures for the selection of the president, qualifications for office, the oath to be affirmed and the powers and duties of the office. It also provides for the office of Vice President of the United States

Article Three describes the court system (the judicial branch), including the Supreme Court. The article requires that there be one court called the Supreme Court; Congress, at its discretion, can create lower courts, whose judgments and orders are reviewable by the Supreme Court. Article Three also requires trial by jury in all criminal cases.

Article Four describes the relationship between the states and the Federal government, and amongst the states.

Article Five describes the process necessary to amend the Constitution.

Article Six establishes the Constitution, and the laws and treaties of the United States made in accordance with it, to be the supreme law of the land, and that "the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the laws or constitutions of any state notwithstanding.

Article Seven sets forth the requirements for ratification of the Constitution.

Provisions for amendment
The authors of the Constitution were clearly aware that changes would be necessary from time to time if the Constitution was to endure and cope with the effects of the anticipated growth of the nation. However, they were also conscious that such change should not be easy, lest it permit ill-conceived and hastily passed amendments. Balancing this, they also wanted to ensure that an overly rigid requirement of unanimity would not block action desired by the vast majority of the population. Their solution was to devise a dual process by which the Constitution could be altered.

The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Those amendments were adopted between 1789 and 1791, and all relate to limiting the power of the federal government. They were added in response to criticisms of the Constitution by the state ratification conventions and by prominent individuals such as Thomas Jefferson. These critics argued that without further restraints, the strong central government would become tyrannical. The amendments were proposed by Congress as part of a block of twelve in September 1789. By December 1791 a sufficient number of states had ratified ten of the twelve proposals, and the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution.

Answer 2

If you would actually read the Constitution, you would realize that this incredible document wasn't written to reflect the times but reflects the human condition and our natural right to freedom and happiness. Yes grave errors were made such as slavery but those have been taken out when people finally realized how awful it was. No matter if it's over 200 years ago or right now, the human condition hasn't changed. They human thought process hasn't change. Yes, technology has changed but the Constitution doesn't address material things or advances. Just read it for what it says and not what you want it to say. The transgressions against this document are the very things that have made us weaker as a nation. The liberal claptrap about separation of church and state. There is no such thing. The right to bear arms, always will be a right. The Constitution LIMITS government. If you look at history, you'll see that our most prosperous times were when the government interfered the least. Our greatest downfalls have been when the government tries to fix things (IE the great depression that was extended a decade because of policy and our current crisis). It's liberal thinking people like you who are wanting to rewrite this most famous of modern documents to fit your own view of rights. The problem is, the things that the liberal agenda wants to put into the constitution only gives rights to certain groups of people. You can't give a certain group a set of rights without taking them away from someone else. Group A would get the rights but group B would bear the responsibility (can you say Obama care? 10% of the people didn't have insurance so the other 90% of us must now support them). Read up on your history without your bias glasses on and see what REAL history is, not your version of it (or did Clinton teach you too well how to rewrite history?)

Answer 3

The Constitution is supposed to be contract between the states and their common agent, the United States. The Constitution is supposed to have limitations on the federal government. They have certain enumerated powers, and they are exclusive to what is written in the document.

However, the Constitution has been ignored increasingly in past nearly 150 years. It has been made worse by the advent of the IRS, and the fact that the country has been turned over to the bankers--and their willing accomplices in the government.

All of the guarantees of the Constitution mean nothing unless they are enforced, and it is the wolves guarding the hen house.

Answer 4

The ***PRAYNOGRAPHER*** The Constitution is more then just a piece of paper. It is a document that was created by men. Defended by men and women for the past 250 years. All that are involved in regulating the lives of people that live in the borders of this great country we call America are bound by its' limits. The Constitution is what makes us a viable democracy. Without it the majority would rule over the minority. The Constitution upholds, and preserves the rights of individuals. It keeps groups from enforcing their beliefs onto those that might have differing view points. Under the Constitution every man and woman have rights to do and think as their conscience guides them. As long as their actions do not hurt others. Our Constitution is what protects us from our government over reaching in the power that it is given by the people to govern them. This makes us a Constitutional Republic. It is truly a government by the people for the people. Our sons, and daughters have in many generations fought and died here and in foreign lands to defend, protect, and preserve the Constitution for all of us. We as a nation must always guard against powers that would try to whittle away at the powers of the Constitution. Sometimes under the guise of making us feel safer. It is our duty to keep our guard up. Not to be fooled,and give in. If, as we all say"We Support Our Troops", Then we must support the Constution our soldiers die for. Standing up for the Constitution is the real test of support ,and respect for those that would die for it in the field of battle. The more we use our free minds. The less we would have to use bullets. If you value a veterans sacrafice, and want to in some way support and thank him. Go out and vote. Vote for those that will abide by the rule of Constitutional Law. If you do not. You are a coward as in the field of fallen soldiers

Answer 5

Some think it is only a piece of paper. They try constantly to get around its laws. That's why the Supreme Court is so important and why the Democrats have fought so hard to stack it.

The SC gets to decide what the Constitution means and Judges appointed by Democrats (and some Republicans) try to write laws from the bench, thus polluting the laws of the land. Roe vs Wade a good example.

Answer 6

The problem with constitutions is that after a long time, words start to get other meanings too. My civil rights should be protected under the constitution. But terrorism (USA) public discussion (China), or just free travel through Europe (europe)
are limiting our civil rights, more then we welcome. And we dont get the proof for those things. We have to believe our governments. Which i find hard to do.

Answer 7

Government is far too complicated theses days to be dictated by a little thing like the constitution.This overgrowth of government involvement is what America should be fighting against.Then we could all get back to our roots that WERE governed by the Constitution.

Answer 8

Give it a rest. So Bush says something in a moment of anger in a meeting, and you Bush haters never let it go.

Except for some warrantless wiretapping of suspected terrorists, which has now been authorized by Congress anyway, what parts of the Constitution do you believe Bush isn't following? Be specific.

Answer 9

It WAS the law of the land until the Supreme Court and other federal judges decided to legislate their opinions into their rulings, even if their opinions are inconsistent with the words on the paper.

The whole "living document" thing is just a way for the judiciary to ignore the words of the Constitution and impose their personal views.

What gets me is the generally accepted view that judges are their own personal consitutional convention.

Answer 10

The U.S. Constitution is not just a piece of paper. It is the fundamental law of our land. It is the reason why America is so great and why you and I enjoy the freedom that other countries do not tolerate.