I have noticed a lot of comments about our country's greatest writing, The United States Constitution.  Have any of you actually read the piece of work that you comment about?  In case you have not here's a brief break down:

Preamble

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article I [The Legislative Branch]

 

Article II [The Presidency]

 

Article III [The Judiciary]

 

Article IV [The States]

 

Article V [The Amendment Process]

 

Article VI [Legal Status of the Constitution]

 

Article VII [Ratification]

 

Signers

 

Amendments

 

       Amendment I [Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition (1791)]

       Amendment II [Right to Bear Arms (1791)]

       Amendment III [Quartering of Troops (1791)]

       Amendment IV [Search and Seizure (1791)]

       Amendment V [Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process (1791)]

       Amendment VI [Criminal Prosecutions - Jury Trial, Right to Confront and to Counsel (1791)]

       Amendment VII [Common Law Suits - Jury Trial (1791)]

       Amendment VIII [Excess Bail or Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment (1791)]

       Amendment IX [Non-Enumerated Rights (1791)]

       Amendment X [Rights Reserved to States (1791)]

       Amendment XI [Suits Against a State (1795)]

       Amendment XII [Election of President and Vice-President (1804)]

       Amendment XIII [Abolition of Slavery (1865)]

       Amendment XIV [Privileges and Immunities, Due Process, Equal Protection, Apportionment of   Representatives, Civil War Disqualification and Debt (1868)]

       Amendment XV [Rights Not to Be Denied on Account of Race (1870)]

       Amendment XVI [Income Tax (1913)]

       Amendment XVII [Election of Senators (1913)

       Amendment XVIII [Prohibition (1919)]

       Amendment XIX [Women's Right to Vote (1920)

       Amendment XX [Presidential Term and Succession (1933)]

       Amendment XXI [Repeal of Prohibition (1933)]

       Amendment XXII [Two Term Limit on President (1951)]

       Amendment XXIII [Presidential Vote in D.C. (1961)]

       Amendment XXIV [Poll Tax (1964)]

       Amendment XXV [Presidential Succession (1967)]

       Amendment XXVI [Right to Vote at Age 18 (1971)]

       Amendment XXVII [Compensation of Members of Congress (1992)]

 

The writing took place over the summer of 1787 by an elite group, The Framers, who were seen as being, "the best and brightest that America had to offer at the time."  In saying that, it's obvious that they also knew as time went on that things would change and that The Constitution would also have to change, (outlined in Article V).  They couldn't agree on The Bill of Rights in 1787 but they knew they needed them and with great determination by James Madison they were included 4 years later and became the first 10 amendments to our constitution.  Since then, there have only been 17 additional amendments,( from 1791 to 1992.)  Doesn't that seem like a low number?  To me it does, especially considering that when The Constitution was born the states had originally included a list of 210 amendments that they wished to see in the document, and that was from only 5 of the states.  The point is that yes, our constitution is our country's greatest piece of work, but its very foundation was built on the idea that changes would need to be made. 

The Constitution has not kept up with the times.  But the fact that it allows for change leaves the responsibility to our government to keep it updated and they quite simply have not.  For writers here to criticize those that say The Constitution is outdated goes against the very reason The Constitution was written.  If you don't understand that then maybe you need to read "why" The Constitution was written.   It also doesn't make you un-American because you want an update.   Although I don't agree with most of what "degaselli" has to say I do agree with the idea that we need a serious update to our most honored document and yes, sometimes a bad decision is better than no decision, just look at amendments 18 and 21.  So my answer to the question, "Should it stay or should it go", is yes it should definately stay but lets get it current. 

Again, please keep the name calling to yourself, I won't respond to those that can't express themselves without degrading others.