Is the Constitution written in stone?

[Swede]

Canada and Europe change as courts try to interpret daily life.

[izzie]

1. I believe it has been changed about 27 times not counting

how different ages have looked at just what it means. I will say I always get a funny feeling when they say they wish to write a new one.

[havocmom]

2. No, but the mechanisms for tinkering are tough

so bushco just ignores the instrument of our contractual governance.

[napi21]

3. So does the US. That's why there are ammendments to our

Constitution. Perhapse we don't change as easily as many people would like, butthat COULD be a good thing.

I guess what we should all ask ourselves is: If it were easier to change our Constitution, would it really be better, or would we have a BIG MESS?

Some always want to go overboardand change our Const. for EVERYTHING!

[mmonk]

4. Parchment I think.

;)

[Le Taz Hot]

10. Not to be nit-picky

but it was actually written on hemp.

:hi:

LTH

[mmonk]

16. That's better.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. You would have to read the Articles of Confederation (which predated

the Federal Constitution and its Amendments) and The Federalist Papers to get the best idea of how the Constitution was envisioned to be utilized. There are obvious signs that it is meant to be a dynamic document that instructs and advises as this country changes. You have both the ability to amend the Constitution should it be silent about a fundamental right now found to be necessary and unprotected without its incorporation and the judicial system culminating with the Supreme Court to interpret the particular clause, Article, or amendment as the drafters did not intend for this country to be based of "civil law" but constitutional law. In Europe, most law is civil law, wherein (basically) the premise is "a rule is a rule" while here the premise is "it depends" and what it depends upon are the circumstances applied to the law and whether the case law (or statute) AND prior judicial interpretations will allow the extension of the law.

So, no, the Constitution is not written in stone.

[rodeodance]

6. We have a 'living' constitution.

[no_hypocrisy]

12. Exactly!!

[peacetalksforall]

7. This Constitution is written in Reagan jelly beans. As interpreted

by Republican inheritors. Sometimes they take out the blues and put in the reds.

[tom_paine]

8. Here's what Thomas Jefferson said about it

"Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment? laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind? as that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, institutions must advance also, to keep pace with the times? We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain forever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."
-- Thomas Jefferson, on reform of the Virginia Constitution

So I suppose that, to one of it's foremost architects and indeed a foremost architect of our entire nation from the ground up, the answer would be a resounding NO!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

19. Great quote.

[3waygeek]

9. Judging from the way * treats it

I'd say the Constitution was written on toilet paper.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. Not everyone actually has a written constitution...

or one as short and difficult to change as ours.

However, ours has subtly changed in meaning over the years, too, and not simply due to court opinions. If you look at the evolution of this country from a small, largely agricutural, shaky union through its industrial and terrtorial expansion to what it is now, the same Constitution, with very few amendments, has served us well.

Unlike some of our our monstrously large state constitutions, and many European ones, it simply sets broad principles and leaves the details to the three branches of government.

[Toots]

13. I am not convinced we still have a Constitution at all.

There have been so many violations gone un prosecuted that I am coming to the conclusion it is no longer relevant.

[Solly Mack]

14. A stepping stone, yes...to help lay the foundation

by which a free people can govern themselves, free from tyranny and oppression - not perfect, a rough stone that time and experience will gradually make smooth...time changes all things. Just as the sapling becomes the tree, the acorn became the sapling - life demands growth - as do a free people.

next to one stepping stone you place another...and then another...and you continue to build toward your goal - seeking perfection and falling short - but never wavering from the goal...and if you do lose your way , you have only to go back to those original stones of freedom - equality - liberty and justice to find your way again


America has lost her way.

[Swede]

15. Perfect answer.

Solly america is a work in progress,life is freedom for all.

[driver8]

17. I'm pretty sure it's not stone...

otherwise, Bush couldn't wipe his ass with it.

[leftofthedial]

18. there is a process for changing it, so no

courts also "interpret" and apply it regularly