Constitution: Originalism provides flexibility

by Robert Sam Siegel on October 16, 2009


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Is the United States Constitution a flexible document, written by our Founding Fathers with the ability to adapt to an ever more complex and growing nation, or is it simply a document that requires consideration of the authors’ original intent?

I believe that the concept of Originalism meets both needs. The Constitution is flexible by way of Article 5 of the Constitution, when two thirds of either both Houses of Congress or two thirds of state legislatures propose amendments, and three fourths of the states approve those amendments.

These are difficult requirements to overcome and with good reason. Our Founders were well aware that while the upside of Democracy was representative government, the downside was mob rule; rule at the ever changing whims of the public. Those of you that love your religious freedoms and a free press should fight every time the government or the majority of the population expands the Constitution without employing Article 5.

The first principle in the Ten Principles of Mind Your Own Damn Business Politics, is that a well informed electorate strengthens the Constitution. Read the Constitution and encourage your friends to do the same. A well informed electorate leads to better representation and better law.

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{ 1 comment }

Bill Walker October 18, 2009 at 2:32 pm

Regarding Article V. One method to amend the Constitution is an Article V Convention. All 50 states have submitted 750 applications for a convention call. Congress must call if 34 applications from 34 states are submitted. The texts of the applications can be read at http://www.foavc.org.

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