The United States Constitution

It’s amazing that the United States Constitution is still in existence and practice considering that it was first drafted and established in the 1700s. Of course there have been a few amendments here and there along the way but it’s essentially the same document that it was centuries ago when our forefathers first conceived of it. The actual document itself is still around as well, on public display in Washington DC at the National Archives and Records Administration. In the way that our state capital is the center of government physically, the United States Constitution conceptually represents the center of American politics and the laws of the US. It’s kind of like a handbook for running the country, except manuals are usually straightforward and the Constitution has been hotly debated and subject to different interpretation practically since it was formed.

The main reason there’s always been so much conflict over the United States Constitution is because of the controversy that continually surrounds the establishment of rights. Generally, we define rights as liberty, freedom and the pursuit of happiness but these rights aren’t defined easily. They also change over time—it wasn’t until later that African Americans and women were allowed to vote.

One of the best characteristics of the US is its melting pot culture, but diversity comes with its diverse predicaments. People are constantly stepping on each other’s toes because often one person’s freedom appears to inhibit the freedom of others, hence the age long conflict over the separation of church and state. Even though the founding of our country was heavily influenced by Christian values, our forefathers had the foresight to recognize keep religion separate from law.

This is noteworthy considering that our society is much more secular than it was then, though some might argue that America is still largely governed by religious belief, pointing to contemporary courtroom cases involving evolution, stem cell research, abortion and gay marriage. Our forefathers may have thought way ahead of their time, but there’s no way they could have thought this far. The United States Constitution continues to be tested and the test will continue as long as opposing opinions exist.

Other challenges to the supremacy of the US Constitution involve criticism over the fairness of voting procedures, the power of central government, and whether the Constitution is truly democratic. But the Constitution is such a fundamental part of American government and history and it will likely continue to stand, whether that’s for better or for worse.