Explaining an Amendment: Protect basic liberties and rights that you may take for
granted- including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion.
Explaining the Process: Amending the constitution-
9,000 amendments have been proposed since 1788, but only 27 have been apart of the constitution.
Amendments may be proposed in two ways: by the vote of two thirds of the states legislatures, and 2/3 vote of both houses.
Interpreting the Constitution: "Elastic Clause" directs congress to "Make all laws which
shall be necessary and proper."
"Commerce Clause" gives congress the power to "Regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among
several states."
Powers of the Presidency:
Constitution describes the role and the powers of the president in general terms, allows the executive
its powers.
The Courts: The judicial branch has also grown as powers implied in the constitution
have been put into practice. The court defined its right to determine whether a law violates the constitution. Judicial review
has become a major power of the judicial branch.
Is the amendment process an easy process? The amendment process is a difficult process,
because like an onion, there are many different layers of steps to changing (and adding) to the constitution.
