Existing comment:
Amending America
11,000 Attempts, but Only 27 Amendments
Only 27 times -- out of more than 11,000 proposals -- have Americans reached consensus to amend the Constitution.
It is difficult -- but not impossible -- to turn an idea into an amendment. So few amendments have been successful because our Constitution sets a high bar to pass amendments. So, what kinds of proposals achieve enough support to become a ratified amendment?
We have amended our Constitution to reshape fundamental rights, key legal powers, or elemental government structure. We have expanded voting through amendments to broaden participation. We have guaranteed our rights to experience more freedom. We have improved the structure of our government to be more secure.
We amend not only to solve current problems. We amend when Americans share an understanding of an essential concern that affects us all. We amend so that We the People can create a more perfect Union. When we add new ideas to our fundamental governing charter -- our Constitution -- we are Amending America.
"Let us go on perfecting the Constitution by adding, by way of amendment, those forms which time and trial show are still wanting."
-- - President Thomas Jefferson, 1803 |