It has passed the test of time!

Hello All,

The times continue to be interesting. Between the pandemic, the vaccine (which I truly believe is going to ultimately get us out of this excitement) and politics, I believe the Facebook post I saw recently that indicated that 2020 went home, put a wig on, changed her lipstick color and came back as 2021!

I think I have told you before that Bob and I are sort of political wonks. so the last four weeks or so have provided us an opportunity for some great discussions. Interestingly, the discussions have not been about impeachment! We have actually talked about the Constitution of the United States and the incredible foresight of the men who negotiated and wrote this enduring document. The preamble (with the original capitalization and spelling):

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do order and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Bob and I both wondered what it would be like to meet with these men today and talk to them about how this remains a guiding document and how amendments have been added over time. I expect there was robust discussion back then and would be even more so today!

The Constitution has only seven articles – creating the Legislative Branch (Senate and House of Representatives), the Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch – and the road map for how to accomplish the work of the country.

Twenty-seven amendments have been approved. The first ten amendments – which became known as the Bill of Rights – were actually approved on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights was created because at a number of state conventions after the Constitution was approved, the leaders wanted the language used to prevent “misconstruction or abuse of powers”. So more “declaratory and restrictive clauses” were added. The ten amendments were ratified simultaneously two years and 61 days after they were proposed on September 25, 1789.

Only seventeen amendments have been approved since 1789, over 230 years! I think that is incredible. All of the amendments are important to form a more perfect union. Here are a few:

1. Prior to the 12th Amendment (approved June 15, 1804), the Vice President was the runner-up in the national election! The 12th Amendment allowed the President and Vice President to be elected together. (Bob and I have entertained ourselves with what that might have looked like over the last 20 years if the 12th Amendment had not been passed! Can you imagine? And the other thought – would that have forced constructive dialogue and compromise between the parties to get the work done for the people? )

2. The 15th Amendment (approved February 3, 1870) prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude.

3. The 19th Amendment (approved August 18, 1920) prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on sex.

4. The 22nd Amendment (approved February 27, 1951) limited the number of terms a person could be elected President. (Thank goodness!)

5. The 26th Amendment (approved July 1, 1971) lowered the voting age to 18.

6. The 27th  Amendment (and last, approved May 5, 1992) delays laws affecting Congressional salary changes from taking effect until the next election of representatives. Evidently this was initially proposed on September 25, 1789! It only took 232 years and 223 days to be approved!

The Constitution has truly passed the test of time! It has been tweaked, but the foundation of our government has remained stable and strong. We have much to be proud of as Americans. We have much to be thankful for. And the foresight of those incredible Americans is certainly one of them. Add to those thanks the brave people since then who have stood together to add language to make sure all people should be treated equally.

We still have work to do to make the Union more perfect. We still have work to do to make sure all people are treated equally. Standing on the shoulders of all who came before us – we are up to the task!

Phyl