Should the Constitution Be Amend to Limit Representatives, Senators, and Members of the Judiciary To12 Years of Total Service?
Bill of Rights and Amendments
Aquanetta Littles
University of Phoenix
HIS 301
Anthony J Interland [pic]
May 29, 2012
Introduction
The Constitution contains seven articles; the first three articles established three branches of government, legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Each branch has a different function and holds power, but its power is restricted by another branch. America’s forefathers divided the government into three branches to maintain checks and balances. They did this to avoid the risk of dictatorship, tyranny, or single person or entity gaining control of the government. The fifth article allows for amendments or additions to the constitutions. It ensures the needs of the people are met and reflects the changing attitude of the nations. The methods to amend Constitution are two-third vote by the House and Senate and ratification by 38 of the 50 states. Protecting the right of the people and building a strong centralized government was the primary concern of the founding fathers. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention did not want the country returning to totalitarian system of authority like the one forced on the colonies by the British (usgovinfo.about.com). On September 17, 1787 thirty nine men signed the U. S. Constitution; the document explaining how our government would operate. These brilliant men drafted a manuscript crafting a democracy where government served the people not controls them. That prudence has made America one of the most powerful nations in the world and gave us a government that still endeavors today. Even though the founding father drafted a document for the people, it contained few individual rights or guarantees for the people. Only specific rights guarantees were included like protection against states impairing the obligation of contracts, prohibit government from enforcing ex post facto laws, and barring
Aquanetta Littles
University of Phoenix
HIS 301
Anthony J Interland [pic]
May 29, 2012
Introduction
The Constitution contains seven articles; the first three articles established three branches of government, legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Each branch has a different function and holds power, but its power is restricted by another branch. America’s forefathers divided the government into three branches to maintain checks and balances. They did this to avoid the risk of dictatorship, tyranny, or single person or entity gaining control of the government. The fifth article allows for amendments or additions to the constitutions. It ensures the needs of the people are met and reflects the changing attitude of the nations. The methods to amend Constitution are two-third vote by the House and Senate and ratification by 38 of the 50 states. Protecting the right of the people and building a strong centralized government was the primary concern of the founding fathers. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention did not want the country returning to totalitarian system of authority like the one forced on the colonies by the British (usgovinfo.about.com). On September 17, 1787 thirty nine men signed the U. S. Constitution; the document explaining how our government would operate. These brilliant men drafted a manuscript crafting a democracy where government served the people not controls them. That prudence has made America one of the most powerful nations in the world and gave us a government that still endeavors today. Even though the founding father drafted a document for the people, it contained few individual rights or guarantees for the people. Only specific rights guarantees were included like protection against states impairing the obligation of contracts, prohibit government from enforcing ex post facto laws, and barring
References: Law2.umkc.edu The Bill of Rights: Its History and Significance (n.d) Retrieved May 26 2012 http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/billofrightsintro.html Merriam-webster.com Amendment (n.d) Retrieved May 26 2012 http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amendment Wikipedia.org Article Five of the United States Constitution (n.d) Retrieved May 26 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_Five_of_the_United_States_Constitution Cleverley.org The Constitution of the United States of America Post-Civil War Amendments (n.d) Retrieved May 26 2012 http://www.cleverley.org/areopagus/docs/usconst/usamend3.html [pic][pic][pic][pic]