The Wasatch Behind: Living, breathing document
By TOM MCCOURT
Guest contributor
"We're in big trouble," Uncle Spud sputtered as he slammed down the newspaper and reached for the Pepto-Bismol. "I just read that the Constitution of the United States is a living, breathing document, subject to change as the world changes around it."
"What's wrong with that?" I asked.
"The Constitution is a timeless document," he said. "It's the best blueprint for democratic government and individual human rights the world has ever seen. It's not supposed to be changed. It was never intended to be modified or adapted to conform to social evolution, philosophical trends, or political expediency."
"But it can be changed," I reminded him.
"Yes, it can," he agreed. "But it's a darn tough process. The founding fathers made it that way to keep us from changing it on a whim."
"So what's the problem?" I asked.
"The attitude is the problem," he replied. "The idea that the Constitution can be changed to meet the political and social philosophies of whatever party happens to be in power at the time is frightening."
"Isn't that what the Supreme Court is for?" I asked. "To interpret the Constitution and be sure we abide by the guidelines?"
"That's true," he agreed. "But recently the Supreme Court has gotten to be a political game of who can appoint the most judges who agree with their side, liberals and conservatives. And some supreme court justices have been very creative in their interpretations. There have been some strange rulings over the past several years."
"Like what?" I asked.
"Like the ruling that abortion on demand is constitutional," Spud said. "I've read the whole document and I don't remember seeing that part."
"So you think the danger lies in how the Constitution is interpreted?"
"Yes," he agreed. "And the attitude that the Constitution is a living, breathing document, subject to change, feeds right into that mindset."
"How bad could it get?" I asked.
"Look what happened to the Ten Commandments after they became a living, breathing document, subject to change as the world changes around them," he said.
â¢Thou shalt have no other Gods before environmentalism.
â¢Thou shalt not worship any graven image; but trees, wilderness, and crypto-biotic soil are okay.
â¢Thou shalt not use the Lord's name in vain, unless it reinforces your point and stresses your passion for the issues at hand.
â¢Thou shalt keep the annual Earth Day holy, by marching on government offices and blocking access to oil wells.
â¢Thou shalt honor thy father and mother by rejecting their outdated values regarding marriage, family, patriotism and religion.
â¢Thou shalt not commit murder by executing criminals or terrorists, but innocent unborn babies are okay.
â¢Thou shalt not admit adultery.
â¢Thou shalt not steal unless you're rich or a member of congress, then you can get away with it.
â¢Thou shalt not bear false witness unless it furthers the cause of global warming, socialism, or gun control.
â¢Thou shalt not covet. Just take the stuff and run like hell.
"Do you really think the constitution could become that perverted?"
"We're on the fast track," Spud said. "When liberals can find that home ownership, healthcare, abortion, gay marriage, and wolves in the wilderness are guaranteed by the Constitution, I think we're in big trouble already. I can't wait to see what happens over the next four years."
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