Why do we allow a document that is 250 years old to dominate our society? Certainly, the Constitution is an important historical treatise. However, to scrutinize every bit of punctuation and phrase in order to apply it to the world of today is absurd. Recently, section 3 of article 14 has been attracting much attention. People on both the left and right are arguing about what it says and how we might utilize it with respect to Donald Trump.
We are in the year 2024: parsing the meaning of an historic work in order to divine some relevance for today’s world is a cowardly activity. The legislators of the 21st century are responsible for the laws of the 21st century. Requesting that the nine unelected members of the supreme court analyze the constitution and “wisely” instruct us of how our fathers of old would think is legislative abdication of responsibility.
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were great thinkers. We may look to their words and thoughts for wisdom. However, we do not look to them for our laws. The same should be how we think about the founders of this nation. They had recently, violently, revolted against a monarchy. Thereafter they wrote and signed the constitution in 1789. They would likely be aghast to learn that their founding document would be a governing text for all time. Nota bene: The afore mentioned Greeks as well as our forefathers lived in an age of slavery.
The constitution is not some sacred text delivered by a prophet to the people. It is a prescription for organizing a nation that recently and successfully won its independence from a colonial sovereign. The United States of America, which so fervently opposes religious theocracies, now is a theocracy of sorts. While there is no god, or house of worship, we have elevated this “ancient” document to a bible like level; interpretable but unquestionable. Why? Are our politicians so feckless that they cannot move beyond the past. Certainly, when they are forced to act, they do. The Constitution does not mention radios, television computers, etc. When these things come up, they do act. However, rather than treating these as 21st century issues they reach to their “bible” for guidance. Such madness cannot be allowed to stand.
The constitution is a remarkable text. It deserves a place alongside other historically important documents, ( The Magna Charter, The Theses of Martin Luther, The Emancipation Proclamation, The Maastricht Treaty, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, etc.). At the time of their writing as well as for a time afterwards these were timely and relevant. While these may be referred to for guidance in the 21st century, they are not treated as the literal truth for all time. I am not seeking to tear the constitution to shreds. Nor am I seeking to amend it. I am seeking an updated document. One that will act as a mission statement rather than a sacred scroll that is used to respond to the issues of today as well as tomorrow. I believe that we must address the issues of today by looking forward rather than backward.