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Speak Up! - View Question #394 |
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Question: Why do we have Amendments?
Answer: An amendment is 'a change in or an addition to a document.'
Our founding fathers knew that as our country grew and times changed that the Constitution would need a mechanism in place to keep up with the time and stay relevant to the needs of the people living in the US. They therefore provided this mechanism in Article V of our Constitution. Since the passing of the original 10 amendments (The Bill of Rights) there have been an additional 17 amendments. Those amendments have done such things as abolished slavery, given blacks, women and 18 year olds the right to vote, eliminated poll taxes and limited the President of the United States to two terms in office.
The ability to amend the Constitution has been very important in keeping up with a changing and diverse America. But amending the U.S. Constituion is no easy thing. Read for yourself what the U.S. Constitution says about Amendments:
Article Five of the U.S. Constitution
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
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