It's no secret that the U.S. Constitution has been subject to much
(mis?)interpretation over the years. Maybe it's too long, too complicated, not
complicated enough, who knows? If I were rewriting it, I'd try,
United States Constitution
We the people.
The end.
***
"What?! What is that supposed to be?"
"It's the constitution. Why, you don't like it? Did you read the whole
thing?"
"But, but, but...there's nothing there. Everything's missing."
"Well, it's a little short but easy to read."
"But, it doesn't say anything, doesn't answer any questions."
"Give me a question that my constitution won't answer for you."
"Ok. What if two gay people want to get married. Can they?"
"You sure you read the whole thing? Look, right after the 'e' in 'we', you
see where it says
that the constitution guarantees the right to marriage? And if the
constitution guarantees
the right to marriage, gay people also have the right to marry.
Simple."
"Wait a minute! I don't see any of that stuff in there. Where are you
reading?"
"Hmm, do you see the stuff about the right to privacy, the right to an
abortion, the right
to make everyone buy health insurance or pay a penalty?"
"No, I don't see any of that stuff."
"Just as I suspected. You're an originalist."
"Doc, no! Am I going to die?"
"An 'originalist' is someone who reads the constitution and interprets it
the way it was
written. They are often referred to as The Sensible Ones. Others claim
that the
constitution is a 'living document' and has to be interpreted
differently, no matter what
it says or how clearly it's written, because it was written for
'a different time.' They are
often referred to as New York Times Editorial Writers."
"But that's crazy! Something can mean one thing today and something
completely
different tomorrow. Depends on who's on the Court. What a way to run a
country."
"So, who's perfect?"
"And if The Constitution is a 'living document' and can mean different
things on different
days, then what about the Penal Code, the Commercial Code, the..."
"Sh-h-h, don't give them any ideas."
