Analyzing the Constitution in Modern Times

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened. This amendment is unique because it took an extremely long time for it to be ratified. It states the the pay or raises for the members of Congress do not fall into place until the next term. I believe this is important because money can play a large role politics, influencing, and voting, so this amendment aims to prevent that. For an amendment that took 200 years to be ratified it is still a largely untouched upon topic to this day. There are multiple examples of lobbying and all kinds of financial influence aimed to gain some sort of political agenda. We have to address any unfairness or alteration of our current political system to make sure that it stays as an effective representation of our nation. Here we have an extremely interesting story of how the 27th amendment even came back centuries later to beco

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. This amendment is the greatest amendment as an American citizen. It not only ensure that every citizen over the age of 18 is allowed to vote, but also gives the voting poll age diversity starting right at adulthood as a gained right. This is important because it further encompasses even more voters,  especially younger voters to have a voice in our democracy. It equals out the voting field for new generations and ideals to combat and even overthrow the popular votes of older generations. This really solidifies our rights as adult citizens and the importance of voting. Not discriminating by age, gender, or color are all huge advancements for our nation and we are continuing in a positive direction for po

Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President. Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress. Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President. Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representativ

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. This amendment is important because no matter what your tax situation is you can still be able to vote. This is needed because if, for example, one is convicted of a felony, then they are denied voting rights. I think that this amendment guarantees citizens are still able to vote. This then puts into place an equal voting system instead of special groups and interests taking charge of the polls. I had stayed away from these videos for other amendments, but this one actually does a good job covering everything the 24th was looking to fix. It really was

Section 1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.  The 23rd Amendment gives Washington DC voice in our government to cast their vote for representatives in the electoral college. This is important because previously Washington DC did not have a say in the government itself. It had

Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term. Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress. We have an amendment that is one I actually remember fo

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited. Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. As we have already covered the 18th amendment involving Prohibition, this is a direct answer to that basically stating that it is no longer in affect. This is actually and important amendment showing that something so opposed by the citizens can quickly be removed from our Constitution. This is the only direct repeal of an amendment so it speaks for itself in terms of the effect it had on our

Section 1. The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin. Section 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. Section 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. An incredibly important change in the history of our nation, already allowing blacks to vote, women were still left out. This ensured that women were able to vote as well and influence the government right alongside men. This is a right that had been strenuously fought for by Women's Rights and other movements. It is a large shift again in the voting population as women make up a huge majority in our nation. It was another step in the right direction of including all people in our nation in the democratic process. This explosive video is a singing history lesson that was well done explaining the role of Susan B. Anthony in the right to get women a chance to vote. Sadly she actually passed away before it was put into place but her contributions did not go unnot

Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. This amendment was important during the time in which banned the making, sale, and delivery of alcohol. It was also the only amendment ever repealed in 1933. This significance of this amendment was a dominant stance of our government against alcohol in the United States.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. Here we have a very important change in the way that Senators were elected to Congress. Previously the citizens were not voting directly for Senators as we do now. This is significant in the

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. Allowing Congress the power to tax its citizens based on income, the smaller the less taxes taken, the larger the more taken. This is important clarification of the power of Congress to take from the people taxes on our actual income. We all I'm sure are aware of taxes by now and this is something directly mentioned as a power our government holds. This is important in clarifying how taxes are represented across the population with varying degrees of incomes, so that is collected fairly for each citizen. This semi-current video from only last year discusses our financial issues we are struggling with, and argues the point that the income tax should be abolished. Originally started to fund war efforts, the government is in question to control the level of tax, especially on th

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude-- Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. This amendment is straightforward in the fact that it allows people of any color or race to vote. This is important for our Constitution to achieve its goal by including all citizens of our nation the right to cast a vote to influence at a state and federal level. We are a nation of the people and before this were not including all of our people into the democratic system. Here we have taken another step forward to giving power to all of our citizens to influence possibly change anything they find unjust. Here we see a great explanation of the amendment and the opposition from the women's rights activists since it exclusively allowed the right for black men to vote. While this was late

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. This well-known amendment is extremely important in the development of our nation. We have previously been with slavery and servants for which we have gone through tremendous conflict to keep or set free. This solidifies the decision to keep slavery out of our nation moving forward. Citizens may choose to work to provide for themselves but may no longer be held as slaves or forced to work. This seems like an easy solution, but for a nation that was built upon slavery existing and not being help punishable, it was not easy by any means. This was a huge step forward in creating the nation that we live in today, free of any form of these practices. Here we debate the fact of

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -- the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority,

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. This amendment actually aims to contradict Artlicle 3 Section 2 concerning "original jurisdiction" where the Supreme Court could actually hear cases from different states against each other. This is important that it was reversed because it leaves more power in the hands of the State as far as not allowing that to be possible. Each state is protected from being tried by a person of another state, country, or even someone from within their own state. State power is created in the sense that each State must govern itself, while not being bothered by cases brought in from other States. This well-produced info comic covers if you can actually sue the United States. It concluded that you cannot sue a state but you can sue the state o

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. This amendment is important in realizing the separation between federal and state government as well as the people of the United States. Whatever powers that have not been given to our federal government fall to the state and the people. This allows states to have differing laws, taxes, whatever it may be that was not solely the responsibility of the federal government. This is very important in deciding where to draw the line between federal and state. Without it states and citizens may be less free in the powers that they are granted and challenge our democratic society. This is a great overview of the amendment breaking down how the Constitution should be interpreted. Based on two things: the federal government is limited in its power, and the citizens are the ones with power. It clearly defines what people of

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. This amendment protects our rights that may not exactly be stated out in the Constitution from being intruded upon. This is important because of the fact that not every right that we are given is stated, or can even be listed for that matter, but it still does not mean the government can overstep its boundaries using this fact. The rights as a whole, listed and not, are deemed protected here and further keeps the government from infringing on them. Here we see Gorsuch call the 9th Amendment "less interpreted" since the rights are in the hands of the people. This somewhat forgotten amendment has lead to questions of what powers the states and federal government are actually given versus what they are actually doing. We need to more clearly define what rights are in this area to soften the debate on the topic. Further discussing w

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. As most, this amendment protects the citizens from tyranny by preventing the government from making unjust consequences. It eliminates the extreme from happening to you and relegates it to a just punishment for whatever it is you are being prosecuted for. Things like being tarred and feathered, back in early times, to detrimental fines as we find in today's world, are prevented. The punishment must be fair and decided within means. Without something like this amendment protecting us, the punishments and fines could have no end. This video covers the issue of capital punishment and how it is affected by this amendment. These are cases of death penalty being argued as a cruel and unusual punishment. The death penalty is reserved for very serious cases and has been used, but this video really makes you think about determining if it is in fact considered under the

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. This further covers the right to trial by jury in civil cases. It is important in making sure the that jury is the and their decision is upheld. The judge only acts as a guide in the law and how the court is ran, but ultimately the deciding factor is the jury of peers. This really upholds our right as citizens to be tried fairly, without a judge or member of court stripping us of being heard in front of a jury. This video covers the significance of placing the power into the people of the jury in trials. Our Founding Fathers could have maintained their power in this sense, but was instead placed in our hands. It gives great insight into the working man judging cases of his state, to larger cases involving

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. The right to a trial is very important to our sense of right and wrong. The truth of the matter is that you are either guilt or not, but as our government is set up you have the right to a fair trial with a jury a decision makers. They hear the trial and make their decision as they come to a consensus with everything presented but it your right to take part in this process. This leaves citizens with protection against unjust accusations and lets their peers judge accordingly. We have been following this proce

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. The 5th Amendment protects us from being stripped of our liberties, unless through the due process of law. We cannot be handcuffed or locked up based on the whim of an individual working for the security of the government. We must be tried through the judicial system prior to being placed under arrest. This is extremely important to keep the government responsible in managing it's power. We want

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.  This amendment covers the privacy of our property, to be protected from intrusion by the government without a  warrant and probable cause. This protects us as individuals from being searched at will by officers, military, etc. You and your things a safe and private until you do something of probable cause to lead the government to seize or search you. This could be anything as small as your wallet, to your entire home, so this covers a entire array of property. This speech talks about technologies surrounding us during these modern times and things our Founding Fathers may have never had the capacity to imagine when making law. Things like drones

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. This amendment gives us an insight on the government policy regarding military and the public in times of conflict and cooperation. The government cannot ask to use our homes as shelter for soldiers. This does not have too much significance today, but it still keeps the democracy in the hands of the people. This amendment has stayed largely the same and will likely stay that way today. This is a rather silly video, but describes the 3rd amendment nicely nonetheless. Giving up your home to a soldier for any time, as delegated by the government, would be an unusual thing in today's time. This keeps our property ours, and away from the intrusion of our own government. This video is a real example of how police, in this particular case, are violating citizen's 3rd amendment rights by attempting to take over a