HOW WOULD YOU AMEND THE CONSTITUTION?
Today, you are going to write your own amendment to the U.S. Constitution and argue why it is a good change or addition the Constitution. First, let's review how the Constitution can be amended. Study the diagram below--
Next, look at the list of a random selection of amendments that have been proposed over the last few years--
- To ensure that all children who are citizens have a right to a "free and adequate education"
- To specifically permit prayer at school meetings and ceremonies
- The "Every Vote Counts" Amendment - providing for direct election of the President and Vice President, abolishing the Electoral College
- To guarantee the right to use the word "God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and the national motto
- To specify a right to "equal high quality" health care
- To prohibit the early release of convicted criminals
- To establish the right to a home
- To disallow the desecration of the U.S. Flag
- To make English the official language of the United States
- To repeal the 2nd Amendment (right to bear arms)
- To prohibit the death penalty
- To protect the environment
- To repeal the 26th Amendment (granting the vote to 18-year olds) and granting the right to vote to 16-year olds
- To provide equal rights to men and women
YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
1. Think of some issue in the United States that you think needs to be solved and can only be solved if it is added or changed in our Constitution.
2. Spend 10 minutes reading a bit on that topic. Write down the name of the websites you used.
3. Write your amendment with careful wording so that it can be interpreted the way you want it to.
4. Write down at least 5 arguments FOR the amendment.
5. Write down at least 2 arguments that other people may have AGAINST the amendment and how you would respond to those arguments.
6. If there is time, we will present some of these in front of class.
2. Spend 10 minutes reading a bit on that topic. Write down the name of the websites you used.
3. Write your amendment with careful wording so that it can be interpreted the way you want it to.
4. Write down at least 5 arguments FOR the amendment.
5. Write down at least 2 arguments that other people may have AGAINST the amendment and how you would respond to those arguments.
6. If there is time, we will present some of these in front of class.