How would you change the Constitution? Here are some changes made in the past 200 years, and some changes for the future.
You may have heard the U.S. Constitution called "a living document." Though it may seem like a dry piece of paper to you, it really is designed to live and grow as the nation grows.
Even the Founding Fathers knew it might have to change with the times. Article Five of the Constitution spells it out: "The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses [the House and the Senate] shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution . . ." States were also given a chance to propose changes, or amendments. Three-fourths of the states have to approve the amendment for it to become law.
In the past 200 years, the Constitution has been amended 27 times. The 13th Amendment, in 1865, forever banned the practice of slavery. The 15th Amendment, in 1870, gave all citizens the right to vote, regardless of their race.
Americans have added laws only to take them back. In 1919, the 18th Amendment was passed. It banned the making and selling of alcohol. But it was impossible to get all people to stop drinking. Many people felt the government had no right to make laws about their private habits. So in 1933, the 21st Amendment was adopted. It repealed, or canceled, the 18th Amendment.
The nation may need amendments in the future. For example, advances in technology may change the way we communicate. Someday, we may be able to vote from our own homes, hooked into central computers through our TV sets. And what if we are able to live in space? We may need new laws to govern space life.
What kind of laws do you think we will need in the future?
What kind of laws do we need in the future? Hmm well, not much is really changing. New laws would only be created if theres a common issue among the people. A law can be changed if the law is "running out of time." As in something needs to be added or adjusted. There are a lot of laws already out there and not everyone knows all of them or the state laws. Especially the state laws because each states has its own standard for their cictizens.
ReplyDelete-Tim Dowling, P 2
If i could add/change the constitution in any way it would be about animal crulety. I would amend the constitution by stating that animals have simular characteristics of human beings and should have the freedom of not being abused like one. Also i believe in the future we will need to comprimise on a law that will limit the capabilities of technology. Meaning we can not build a laser cannon that can create a real star but have the power to blow up the entire planet.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chris Caldwell about having laws that deal with animal cruelty. As PETA and other groups formed to fight animal cruelty continue to grow it will only be a matter of time until laws are passed protecting animals. We need to stop abusing animals like they are not living creatures and start appreciating their company and gifts they bring us. Also I think laws in the future will be based on events that occur as time passes. As people continue to grow smarter, people will continue to do illegal actions that are not regarded in the constitution which will lead to more laws. Last,in the future we are going to need laws regarding the ways we abuse gasoline, electricity, etc. because as the world continues to live there is no supplies we have unlimited amounts of, which means we need to find ways for people to be more conservative.
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