Question

The amendment process under the Constitution begins with the

Answer 1

proposal and debate of a new amendment

House of Representatives passing a new proposal

Senate voting on whether they will hear a new proposal

ratification of at least three-fourths of the state legislatures

Answer 2

@DollyAcquah

Answer 3

@ulli920

Answer 4

The articles were the original body of the Constitution, and the amendments were necessary to bring all the states on board because some things were forgotten or neglected. Since then, that same amendment process has been used to modify our Constitution as needed.

This is why the "Living Document" school of thought is such a pipe dream and should be abandoned in the trash-heap of history. The Constitution is based upon an ORIGINAL INTENT interpretation, also known as Constructionist, not a LIVING DOCUMENT (or DE-constructionist) interpretation.

Under Original Intent, I can listen to my teacher on the first day of school and know what the rules will be on the last day, because they are based upon his original intent.

Under a Living Document interpretation, I can say 5 minutes later that it is okay to shoot spit wads and kick my neighbor's chair because after all, the rules change with the times to fit the new scenarios that arise and couldn't have been foreseen five whole minutes ago . . .

I had a prof in college who taught the living document theory and harped on it until I turned it on his words and had the whole class roaring with laughter. He got beet red, stormed out of the classroom and never again mentioned or attempted to advocate living document theses during our class.

Answer 5

I hoped that helped :)

Answer 6

thanks @DollyAcquah

Answer 7

no problem :)