Why has the Constitution changed?

Here's why, including what might be in store for the future of the Constitution.

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 It repealed, or canceled, the 18th Amendment.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? How would you change the Constitution if you could?

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/how-us-constitution-has-evolved-over-time

cause money , power hungry idiots are in charge

dig deep you will find that in the last 10 years they have taken away a lot of are rights and are not inforcing them right now , but that will change soon : (

An amendment to freeze new taxation and rescind all uncessary taxes.

i wouldent change any of it, rather i would like to see it as the law, which it no longer is. We have police running around in military equipment, a clear violation of possee comatotis, and the part about uneasonable search and seisure... our taxation and money system is totally unconstitutional, and of course thier is the 20,000 gun laws..the document is solid,if it applied, but no one can expect it to be enforced in court anymore. Doesent stand up. too many interpitations, when the truth is that it was purpously written in 8th grade english so everybody could understand it.

I would propose an amendment that instituted term limits on Congress and the Supreme Court. This amendment would also include a provision that limited the amount of money that could be spent on campaigns.

I would propose an amendment(s) that:

Restricts congressional pay to the median salary of american workers.

Takes away congressional pensions and places congress members on social security.

Removes any congressional heath plan and places congress members on our national health plan.

Limits campaign funds spent on campaigning.

Makes it a requirement that in order to serve in congress, you must remove your money from the stock market.


Also, I would like to see a federal law that would grandfather property taxes, so rates cannot be raised after you purchase property forcing you out of your home/land.


I would also like to see some serious work done on agriculture. Mainly restrictions on genetic engineering, and things of that nature.

yep,Congress would only be too happy to add all those Amendments,especially the one about Term-Limits!

If a constitutional convention is called by 2/3rds of the states there isn't a damn thing congress can do about it..

Heard a rumor, from a fairly reliable source, that one is being organized as we speak. Its a slow process I was told.

Again, its a rumor...

actually property tax is unconstitutional paying a tribute to the government makes the government a lord of the land which makes the govt a nobility

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No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State - See more at:

http://constitution.findlaw.com/articles.html#sthash.vV3hLzsl.dpuf

that's the only way to go!

probably being organized to install Term-Limits on Congress!
The only way to get them away from the Trough!
seems there is something underfoot!

http://www.termlimitsforuscongress.com/index.html

It's all over FB too!

Here in Switzerland it is a bit more simple!
Got to collect 100'000 valid signatures nationwide,and it has to be put to a Referendum by the People,regardless of what our Congress might think!
But it is also easier to muck up the Constitution!

This is quite interesting... thanks for info.

I would agree with all accept forcing them to remove money from the stock market.

Only reason I brought that one up is the simple fact that they can strongly influence the stock market and invest with insider knowledge. This is illegal if you are a civilian, but not for a senator/congressman. At least this has been my understanding.

they allegedly fixed that,but left Loopholes big enough,a Semi could turn around in them!
Just fixed it enough to not be a Crime doing Insider-Business!