This Constitution Day, let’s celebrate our founding document by discussing how we can better it. If you read through all the articles and amendments, you notice that the majority of its words explain how our government is defined and the powers each branch has. In addition, it also explains the rights of citizens. However, because of its age, the Constitution does not cover modern issues. Thankfully, our founding fathers put in Article V that allows for amendments.
So, what can we do as citizens to affect positive change?
The first step is recognizing important topics to our political sphere and seeing how they can fit in with the laws. Our current administration has a large body of law to work with, so the Constitution is a good backbone to check any potential changes. The rights afforded to us are clear in this document. So, we should take a look at contemporary affairs not covered by the Constitution and talk about how we can solve them.
1. Healthcare- Health in Our Constitution?
Our rights are allegedly life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from the Declaration of Independence. While not of the supreme law, we inferred that our founding fathers (the ones that wrote the Constitution) wished us these rights. While it is not included, should healthcare be added to the Constitution as an amendment? Should it be considered as critical support to the right of life?
Our health is arguably the most important aspect of our wellbeing. Have you heard the old saying, “if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything?” It’s imperative that we have a system that supports so intrinsic a value for the human condition. The 9th Amendment states that we shouldn’t be denied certain rights just because they are not explicitly outlined in black and white on the page. The writers knew enough to put in room for expansion. The American Health Care Act is our current standard. Let’s talk about its pros and cons for a concrete addition.
While health isn’t something our founding fathers worried about, it’s incredibly important now. Maybe it’s time to stand on their shoulders and reach higher.
2. Sexuality – Federal Definitions?
We’ve seen legislation passed to help prevent sexual harassment, both in the workplace and more recently with lawmakers. The point is to define a clear case for this crime and to add better protection for people filing claims. While not something explicitly stated earlier, this can be a welcome addition to our body of law. But, should it stop at only a bill?
There are no policies written in our supreme law regarding sex, but it is one of our defining human characteristics. Shouldn’t there be something in the Consitution outlining what is proper and lawful regarding sex? While it was not important in the 1700s, it is a big issue now. The nature of human sexuality is changing from recent discoveries. People are realizing that while its main component is procreation, its societal use changes based on an agreed perception. We should involve this more in talks of law to lessen its negative connotation and increase protections for people historically abused based on sex.
3. Immigration – Changes to Our Outlook?
Our Constitution does apply to undocumented immigrants in our borders. Regardless of contentious thoughts, our law does produce specific guidelines. Basically, the law states that “people” are assigned these rights, such as due process or legal counsel. While undocumented immigrants aren’t citizens, they are still people and therefore are given the same rights as a citizen. Of course, this doesn’t mean they can vote, but it does mean that should there be deportation, they deserve a lawyer and a court to try their case.
We can smooth out these issues. People are people. This means the conversation starts there. While immigration may put a strain on a nation, an addition to the naturalization model should be the solution. Other countries, such as Canada or Sweden, have agencies specifically for this situation. While we are a different nation in size and demeanor, this doesn’t mean we can’t adapt. Remember, everyone’s family was an immigrant at some point in history.
So, on this holiday, we should take some time out to talk with our friends and family members about what is important to keep in our laws. Touchy issues can be smoothed out if we can first find a place to agree. Once mutual understanding is established, we move forward to alter our laws for everyone’s wellbeing. The system keeps us safe and protects our rights, but which rights do we need an expanded view on? If we all put our heads together, we may not find an easy solution, but we can start working toward one. Remember, the solutions to these issues won’t be easy, but we have got to start the civil discussions about them. Perhaps altering our founding document is not the answer, but with a federal scope, it is a step in the right direction.