The United States Constitution, a document that has shaped the nation since its inception, is often regarded as a sacred text that cannot be altered. However, the question arises: can the Constitution be changed? This article delves into the possibility of amending the Constitution to address current challenges and societal changes.
Cleveland State University College of Law Dean Emeritus Steven H. Steinglass wrote the book on the Ohio Constitution. This serves as a reminder that even state constitutions, like Ohio's, can be amended. In fact, Ohio's constitution has been amended a whopping 172 times, not even counting the number of failed attempts. This demonstrates that constitutional change is not an impossible feat.
While the process of amending the Constitution is intentionally difficult, it is not an insurmountable obstacle. Voters have decided on 227 amendments put forward by citizens and the Legislature over the past 110 years. Some easily passed with at least 60% of the vote, highlighting the flexibility of the Constitution.
Congress shouldn't be able to invoke an arbitrary dollar limit to force the president to do its bidding. This raises the question of whether Congress should have the power to initiate constitutional amendments. With Congress incapable of legislating, Constitutional amendments are now the country's best way to tackle its biggest problems. The ability for Congress to propose amendments would empower them to address pressing issues.
One aspect that may warrant constitutional change is the tenure of the state government. Constitutional provisions like Article 356, which have been misused by successive central governments, should be reconsidered. This highlights the need for constitutional amendments to rectify the misuse of certain provisions.
In two separate referendum questions, voters in Wisconsin approved changing the constitution to expand the criteria for setting cash bail. This exemplifies how constitutional amendments can directly address specific issues and adapt to changing societal norms.
The guarantees of the rights of private property and the freedom of movement of goods, services, labor resources, and capital are being strengthened. These amendments aim to protect individual rights and promote economic growth.
Jill Lepore, a renowned author, argues that our inability to change America's founding document is deforming our politics and government. This raises concerns about the inflexibility of the Constitution and the need for constitutional amendments to adapt to the evolving needs of society.
In summary, while the Constitution is often perceived as unchangeable, history shows that amendments are possible. Whether it is Ohio's constitution, state governments, or specific issues like cash bail, there is evidence that constitutional change is both feasible and necessary. The key lies in striking a balance between the sacredness of the Constitution and the need for adaptability to address modern challenges.
