Constitution Then And Now Essay
The constitution first starts by reciting its 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.” The preamble is used to introduce the constitution, laying out the purpose of government and explaining why a constitution is needed. The constitution allows for changes because the founders did not know what the future may hold. Due to this unknown future that existed, they came to the conclusion that amendments were needed. As of today, the constitution has been changed, or amended 27 times. This shows the ability for restrictions and laws to be changed due to the people's change or opinion. This term is referred to as popular sovereignty, otherwise known as rule by
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the people. I believe strongly that government is not the problem, rather it is the solution. This semester we have learned that the government has provided more civil rights in terms of voting, Shay’s Rebellion, and it has a system of checks and balances where the government is divided into three branches.
In the past, white men were considered to be superior.
Meaning, they had more rights than those of colored skin and females. With the changing state of the United States the government brought change to these requirements. First, the property requirement was removed. This prevented women the right to vote, because majority of the land was owned by their husbands. In addition, African Americans were denied the right to vote because they did not own land. Those of colored skin were usually slaves, and at the time, they were considered property. Although the government may have been the factor to this problem, they soon became the solution. Starting with the 15th amendment, African Americans were given the right to vote. Followed by that was the 19th amendment which granted women the privilege to vote. Finally, the 26th amendment lowered the age restriction to the age of 18. The government noticed a problem in the voting system and amended the constitution in order to provide more equality to people concerning voting
rights.
Many will argue that government is in fact the problem, because of cases like The Shay’s Rebellion. This protest took place in 1787 by farmers who were against tax collection. It was led by Daniel Shay, who wanted to prevent the courts and government from foreclosing the farms due to the lack of tax payment by the farmers. However, this is not an example of the way government is a problem, but a way it is a solution. The right of the people to protest allows the government to modify what they need to. In the case of Shay’s Rebellion, it alarmed a lot of the politicians. It also created an alertness that having a weak central government was not working after all. Thus, a need for justification or revision of the Articles of Confederation was brought to attention.
The role of government comes from the people. In order to debate laws and the future of The United States, the voice of the people must be heard. There are many ways to go about making your voice be heard by government officials. First you can take to mass media. Mass media includes radio, television, newspaper, and the internet. All political campaigns are ran through these medias. Internet is the media of our generation, so any position you disagree with can be taken to different forms of internet. Many people will agree or disagree with you. As a result interest groups will begin to form. With the formation of interest groups the opinion of one person will be met with the opinion of many people allowing for a greater change by the people, after all we do live in a democracy. The interest groups then sends their information to a lobbyist, where all the information is condensed and summarised. The lobbyist presents the information to the government in a hope for change. If the government sees eye to eye with a specific interest group and a need for change is seen the process of amending or creating a new law will begin within the government branches. The government has been set up in a system of checks and balances. It has been divided into three parts, the legislative, executive, and judicial branch. The legislative branch is represented by the Senate and House of Representatives. Their responsibility includes: levy taxes, defense, raise armed forces, and declare war. However, their power is limited to this. The elastic clause gives the legislative branch the right to all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers mentioned in Article 1 of the constitution. The executive branch is where presidential power lays. The president's responsibility is to fire any official within the executive branch, make treaties, and appoint judges and other top officials. The president has the power to veto any law he finds unconstitutional. Finally, the judicial branch is made up of federal and state courts. The federal courts deals with any powers and laws that disrupt those of the constitution. The state deals with powers that derive from the state laws. The supreme court has the power to declare any law unconstitutional.
In conclusion, the constitution lays out the principles of the government. Starting off with the Preamble that explains why the government is needed and what the purpose of government is. The Constitution allows the government to make changes for the unknown future through amendments. The Constitution has been modified 27 times. In order to be part of the solution, government has to be able to make these changes like they did with the voting rights of the people (15th, 19th, and 26th amendment). Rebellions have taken place that has helped challenge the problems in government, and as an outcome the government has always found a solution. The Articles of the constitution lays out the the power of the Government’s three branches, and mentions a system of checks and balances to protect the Government from tyranny. All in all, I believe that the government is the solution not the problem as shown through voting rights, Shay’s Rebellion, and the foundation of the government.
the people. I believe strongly that government is not the problem, rather it is the solution. This semester we have learned that the government has provided more civil rights in terms of voting, Shay’s Rebellion, and it has a system of checks and balances where the government is divided into three branches.
In the past, white men were considered to be superior.
Meaning, they had more rights than those of colored skin and females. With the changing state of the United States the government brought change to these requirements. First, the property requirement was removed. This prevented women the right to vote, because majority of the land was owned by their husbands. In addition, African Americans were denied the right to vote because they did not own land. Those of colored skin were usually slaves, and at the time, they were considered property. Although the government may have been the factor to this problem, they soon became the solution. Starting with the 15th amendment, African Americans were given the right to vote. Followed by that was the 19th amendment which granted women the privilege to vote. Finally, the 26th amendment lowered the age restriction to the age of 18. The government noticed a problem in the voting system and amended the constitution in order to provide more equality to people concerning voting
rights.
Many will argue that government is in fact the problem, because of cases like The Shay’s Rebellion. This protest took place in 1787 by farmers who were against tax collection. It was led by Daniel Shay, who wanted to prevent the courts and government from foreclosing the farms due to the lack of tax payment by the farmers. However, this is not an example of the way government is a problem, but a way it is a solution. The right of the people to protest allows the government to modify what they need to. In the case of Shay’s Rebellion, it alarmed a lot of the politicians. It also created an alertness that having a weak central government was not working after all. Thus, a need for justification or revision of the Articles of Confederation was brought to attention.
The role of government comes from the people. In order to debate laws and the future of The United States, the voice of the people must be heard. There are many ways to go about making your voice be heard by government officials. First you can take to mass media. Mass media includes radio, television, newspaper, and the internet. All political campaigns are ran through these medias. Internet is the media of our generation, so any position you disagree with can be taken to different forms of internet. Many people will agree or disagree with you. As a result interest groups will begin to form. With the formation of interest groups the opinion of one person will be met with the opinion of many people allowing for a greater change by the people, after all we do live in a democracy. The interest groups then sends their information to a lobbyist, where all the information is condensed and summarised. The lobbyist presents the information to the government in a hope for change. If the government sees eye to eye with a specific interest group and a need for change is seen the process of amending or creating a new law will begin within the government branches. The government has been set up in a system of checks and balances. It has been divided into three parts, the legislative, executive, and judicial branch. The legislative branch is represented by the Senate and House of Representatives. Their responsibility includes: levy taxes, defense, raise armed forces, and declare war. However, their power is limited to this. The elastic clause gives the legislative branch the right to all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers mentioned in Article 1 of the constitution. The executive branch is where presidential power lays. The president's responsibility is to fire any official within the executive branch, make treaties, and appoint judges and other top officials. The president has the power to veto any law he finds unconstitutional. Finally, the judicial branch is made up of federal and state courts. The federal courts deals with any powers and laws that disrupt those of the constitution. The state deals with powers that derive from the state laws. The supreme court has the power to declare any law unconstitutional.
In conclusion, the constitution lays out the principles of the government. Starting off with the Preamble that explains why the government is needed and what the purpose of government is. The Constitution allows the government to make changes for the unknown future through amendments. The Constitution has been modified 27 times. In order to be part of the solution, government has to be able to make these changes like they did with the voting rights of the people (15th, 19th, and 26th amendment). Rebellions have taken place that has helped challenge the problems in government, and as an outcome the government has always found a solution. The Articles of the constitution lays out the the power of the Government’s three branches, and mentions a system of checks and balances to protect the Government from tyranny. All in all, I believe that the government is the solution not the problem as shown through voting rights, Shay’s Rebellion, and the foundation of the government.