The Constitution matters, except for when it doesn’t

We’ve been told by pundits, politicians, and the press that the Constitution is a “living document.” While perhaps an attractive, even romantic idea meant to portray a tolerant, forward-thinking America, this is a lie.

Allow me to draw a rather silly analogy.

At my high school, students were required to wear shirts with collars (tucked in for boys), skirts or shorts down to at least the knee, and no jeans or flip-flops. It was a pain to shop for and not very much fun to wear, but I suppose it helped keep up the modesty image.

To say that the Constitution is “living,” i.e., that it can be reinterpreted to fit the times, is the equivalent of saying that collared shirts are required – unless polos have gone out of style. Or that girls may not wear skirts shorter than knee-length – unless it’s summer and it’s just too hot for that much fabric. Or that you must wear “mass dress” (slightly fancier but still dress code-compliant attire) for church days – unless you don’t believe in God and/or know you’re going to hell whether you dress up or not.

Such excuses are silly, illogical, and an embarrassment to human reason. So why do we get to make the same excuses for the Constitution?

You have the right to be considered for a job based solely on your hard work and potential – unless you’re one of the “protected” class. You have the right to keep and bear arms – unless you live in Washington, D.C., and your government thinks you’ll snap and go on a shooting spree for no reason if you happen to own a handgun. (Luckily that one’s been fixed, though apparently there’s a new hiccup.) Everyone is assured the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – unless you haven’t been born yet.

So, basically, the rules matter, except for when they don’t. The lefties love that.

If the Constitution was supposed to be just guidelines, I think the founding fathers would have thought to mention it somewhere. The amendment process is difficult for a reason.

The Constitution is what it is. Do not stand for the left’s constant redefining of the most basic, fundamental principles of this country. Especially with 2012 on the horizon, it’s our job to make sure our elected officials abide by and respect it – or lose their privileges.

My high school’s administration also had problems with selective enforcement of the dress code. But that’s a story for another day.

Recommended reading

A few weeks ago as I was passing through my library, the word “Constitution” caught my eye. This is what I discovered:

Now, I’m not a fan of graphic novels. I don’t read manga – ever – and I don’t think Maus should have been assigned in my 9th grade English class. But this book was really, really interesting.

The creators, Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell, do a remarkable job of summing up the exquisitely complex Constitution using only comic book panels. In just under 150 pages they describe the historical context, controversies, and major court cases surrounding each provision of the Constitution. And they do it without favoring one side or another: with each amendment or article in question, they describe its current and past interpretations, then list different groups’ objections in a refreshingly nonpartisan manner.

While I was initially a little disappointed that this book didn’t include the actual text of the Constitution, it’s thorough enough that I don’t mind. Hopefully this book will attract younger readers – who, God knows, probably haven’t read the Constitution – and encourage them to get interested in American history and politics.

Amazon has some viewable pages.