A Living Document "The Constitution"

A Living Document "The Constitution"

Mark R. Mitchell

COM/150

December 8, 2013

Ellen Sidey

A Living Document "The Constitution"

“I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.” -Benjamin Franklin (Oak Hill Publishing Co. 2013). Even Benjamin Franklin a prominent member of the founding fathers, saw the need that the Constitution would have need for changes, because of situations concerning the country. Although, he may not have perceived that it would change in the manner and reasons it has today. Because of the demographical and population changes of the country, the Constitution becomes affected causing changes within it, thereby making it a living document.

Throughout history, the Constitution has been modified to accommodate the growing and changing nation and the will of the people, besides making it a living document rather than a static one. Indeed there have not been many changes, but those changes made have helped this country grow and become a super power to which other countries look to. To show the difference of a static document is rigid in its formation and is not easily or readily changed to fit a required situation if it can be changed, a living document is very readily changed to accommodate the situation. Additionally we can see that in how the Constitution was laid out by the founding fathers.

When creating the Constitution, the founding fathers had the...