United States Constitution
From RationalWiki
The United States Constitution is the founding document for the United States of America, after the Articles of Confederacy just didn't work out. (There are some to this day who feel that the Articles were much better, thank you, and that we wouldn't have this overwhelming federal government if we'd just stuck with it a little longer. This ignores the fact that the original government had no money and a rebellion it couldn't afford to put down.)
The Constitution is an intricately designed document, meant to preserve the liberty of the country by making sure that no one part of the government could go off and do stupid things without the consent of the rest of it. It also worked to make sure that no silly factions or parties would spring up. We're so glad that it's worked out so well.
It should be noted that, despite some beliefs to the contrary, the Constitution does NOT say that this is a Christian country, nor does it call on God in any real way. The only substantive reference to religion is a ban on religious qualifications for office.
The founders of the Constitution were also smart enough to realize that it might not work for all time, and so put in place a means to change it if circumstances should require. This was done immediately, and thus Americans also have the Bill of Rights. At least, they do until the current government manages to shred the rest of it. (This forward-thinking by the founders would seem to argue against originalism as well, but many seem to think otherwise.)
[edit] Overview
The US Constitution has seven articles and twenty-seven amendments.
[edit] Article 1
Creates the legislative branch of the federal government. Creates a bicameral congress with a Senate and a House of Representatives. Notable powers: Pass laws, declare war, impeach.
[edit] Article 2
Creates executive brach. Establishes the office of the President of the United States and the qualifications for holding that office. Notable powers: Commander in Chief of the military, make treaties with other nations, and appoint federal judges (who have to be approved by the Senate).
[edit] Article 3
Creates Judicial Branch. Establishes the Supreme Court, defines when it has appellate or original jurisdiction, and leaves the creation of lower courts to congress. Notable powers: Interpret law and judges serve for life.
[edit] Article 4
Relationships between states. Establishes that states should give "full faith and credit" to each others laws.
[edit] Article 5
Establishes procedures for amending the constitution.
[edit] Article 6
The US under the constitution inherits the debts it had under the Articles of Confederation. Also, the constitution is the supreme law of the land and no one in the government can be required to take a religious test to hold office.
[edit] Article 7
Describes how this constitution was to be ratified.
[edit] Amendments
The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights.
[edit] 1st Amendment
Overview: Freedom of the press, religion, assembly, petition, and speech.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 2nd Amendment
Overview: Right to bear arms.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 3rd Amendment
Overview: Soldiers can't stay in someone's home without their permission.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 4th Amendment
Overview: Get a warrant.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 5th Amendment
Overview: The government can't make people incriminate themselves; it can't take life, liberty, or property without due process of law; it can't try someone over and over again hoping for a different result.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 6th Amendment
Overview: Rights to: speedy trial, public trial, counsel (lawyers, ugh), and to know what exactly it is you're accused of.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 7th Amendment
Overview: If you are sued by someone for more that $20 then you have the right to a trial by jury.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 8th Amendment
Overview: No excessive bail, no cruel or unusual punishment.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 9th Amendment
Overview: You, the reader of this constitution, are not allowed to say that the rights listed here are the only rights people have.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 10th Amendment
Overview: If the power wasn't given to the federal government, then either the states have that power, or the people do.
Added: Dec. 15, 1791
[edit] 11th Amendment
Overview: You can't sue a state you don't live in.
Added: Feb. 7, 1795
[edit] 12 Amendment
Overview: Boring crap about the Electoral College.
Added: June 15, 1804
The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments are called the Civil War Amendments because they dealt with the aftermath of the civil war. Generally speaking they re-affirmed the rights of US Citizens (but stopped short of giving woman the right to vote) and tackled some overreaching questions that had been debated over the years since the constitution's adoption.
[edit] 13 Amendment
Overview: Abolishes slavery. (Ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation? Guess what, it didn't free a single slave.)
Added: Dec. 6th, 1865
[edit] 14th Amendment
Overview: Defines US Citizenship and says states can't trample on your rights. (Of course, the states then went on to trample on people's rights with Jim Crow laws. This amendment is heavily used to defend and define newly recognized rights.)
Added: July 9, 1868
[edit] 15th Amendment
Overview: Gave blacks the right to vote. (But not women, who, except for Ann Coulter and Phyllis Schlafly, were livid over the exclusion.)
Added: Feb. 3, 1870
[edit] 16th Amendment
Overview: Created the income tax. (Infamous for being the cause of the IRS.)
Added: Feb 3, 1913
[edit] 17th Amendment
Overview: Shifted the election of Senators from state legislators to direct elections.
Added: Apr. 8, 1913
[edit] 18th Amendment
Overview: Prohibited the sale of alcohol. Infamous for giving Al Capone something to do.
Added: Jan. 16, 1919
[edit] 19th Amendment
Overview: Gave women the right to vote. (Finally!)
Added: Aug. 18, 1920
[edit] 20th Amendment
Overview: Moved the inauguration of the President and Vice President up to Jan. 20. (It used to be in March.)
Added: Jan. 23, 1933
[edit] 21st Amendment
Overview: Repeals the 18th amendment, ending prohibition. (Finally!) Unfortunately, Al Capone is in jail for tax evasion.
Added: Dec. 5, 1933
[edit] 22nd Amendment
Overview: Two term limit for US Presidents.
Added: Feb. 27, 1951
[edit] 23rd Amendment
Overview: Gave DC three electors. (Finally!)[1]
Added: Mar. 29, 1961
[edit] 24th Amendment
Overview: Eliminates the poll tax. (The only tax so heinous that it had to be banned via a constitutional amendment.)
Added: Jan. 23, 1964
[edit] 25th Amendment
Overview: Boring stuff about the line of succession for the Prez.
Added: Feb. 10, 1967
[edit] 26th Amendment
Overview: After years of sending 18 year olds to die overseas, adults finally see fit to give them the right to vote. 18 years old promptly squander the opportunity.
Added: July 1, 1971.
[edit] 27th Amendment
Overview: If Congress gives itself a pay-raise, it can't go into effect until there's been an election. That way, some won't necessarily be sure they will get it when they vote for it.
Added: May 7, 1992 (It was submitted with the Bill of Rights but languished for over 200 years until ratified by that laggard Michigan.)
