Is the United States Constitution outdated?

Question

Has our nation outgrown our founding document or, to the contrary, are we losing sight of the Framers’ intent?

Answer 1

Are the principles mentioned in the Constitution outdated? As long as we the people believe in the Constitution then it will never be outdated.

Answer 2

The answer to both parts is somewhat yes and somewhat no.

I think there are many parts of the original structure that are not well suited to a country that has extensive international power and responsibilities (regardless of what we do with those powers and responsibilities -- a giant is still a giant even when it is sleeping). The original structure was designed for a small powerless country. I think if the Framers were around today, they would be shocked at how few changes we have made to the basic structure (only three Amendments have really dealt with the basic structure).

On the other hand, while we have kept the basic structure intact, there have been a lot of changes as to how we function within the basic structure.

We do not necessarily follow the intent of the original Framers on everything, but you have to remember that some of the changes are based on subsequent Amendment. In addition, intent is one of those fuzzy concepts. Many issues today are substantially different than the issues that specifically concerned the Framers. If asked whether they thought the Federal government could or should do X, many of the framers might initially so no. However, after a little bit of study of the issue, the Framers might say that they don't think the government should do X but that it is within the authority of the government under the Constitution.

Answer 3

We are not losing sight of the framer's intent, we HAVE lost sight of their intent. Just so the liberals reading can keep up, let's review...of all the founding fathers, zero percent were bleeding hearted liberals. Zero. Therefore, not even one bleeding hearted liberal had any input into the Constitution. Not even one. How then can any part of the constitution be twisted into a bleeding hearted liberal's interpretation when the founding fathers couldn't possibly have meant anything bleeding hearted liberal by what they wrote?

This used to be an outstanding country, academically, scientifically, morally, our society was the tops, people would give their left arms to live in our country. Now? Well, the liberals have seen their influence drive this great nation into the gutter, and as the ship is sinking the liberals are pointing the finger at the conservative ideology as the cause, when in fact it was conservative ideology that this nation was founded upon.

Answer 4

the answer to the two factors is particularly definite and particularly no. i think of there are a number of factors of the unique shape that are no longer nicely suited to a u . s . that has extensive international skill and accepted jobs (regardless of what we do with those powers and accepted jobs -- a brilliant remains a brilliant even whilst it particularly is drowsing). the unique shape replaced into designed for a small powerless u . s .. i think of if the Framers have been around right this moment, they could be bowled over at how few transformations we've made to the easy shape (basically 3 Amendments have particularly dealt with the easy shape). on the different hand, jointly as we've stored the easy shape intact, there have been an impressive variety of transformations as to how we function in the easy shape. we don't unavoidably keep on with the reason of the unique Framers on each and every little thing, yet you will possibly desire to bear in strategies that many of the transformations are in line with next replace. to boot, reason is a sort of fuzzy strategies. Many subject concerns right this moment are considerably diverse than the subject concerns that especially worried the Framers. If asked no rely if or no longer they theory the federal government might desire to or might desire to do X, many of the framers might initially so no. although, after a sprint of learn of the undertaking, the Framers might say that they do no longer think of the government might desire to do X yet that it particularly is in the authority of the government under the form.

Answer 5

No I think that is the wonder of the Founders in that they designed such a changing document that can adjust to the issues of each era. I do think on thinks like separation of Church and state, and foreign affairs we have lost touch with the framers intent.

Answer 6

Some parts of the constitution are far outdated. Other parts are timeless and have made America the unique democracy that it is. The problem with up dating it is we risk loosing those parts that have made the U.S. unique. Could anyone rewrite the first amendment and not have someone disagree with the rewrite. Could anyone rewrite the fist article of the constitution and not cause an uproar.

Answer 7

no the constitution is not outdated / should never become outdated.

the problem is that our people are not being made to read it / understand what it is / comprehend why it is important

consequenlty , not enough people are fighting for it.

most of the country is walking around clueless and knows more about the hidden mickeys in disneyworld.

Answer 8

The Founders designed in ways to change (ammend) Our Constitution, so it can NEVER be out of date. Maybe WE the PEOPLE aren't making the right changes at the right time, but the fault lies with us, not with Our Constitution.

Answer 9

No, if the right wing fringe (executive branch) would just return the parts they've torn out of the documents everything would be fine.

Answer 10

It will always grow out dates as our Country and population grows... The one's that wrote and signed it knew that, they also knew that they didn't know everything .. that is why they made room for amendments