1. The Living Constitution

2. Bell Ringer
If you could add or change anything to the Constitution, what would you and why?

3. How have things changed?
Transportation?

4. Medical Care

5. Military Power

6. Campaigning

7. Need for change

8. Part One: Formal Amendments

9. Proposals (two methods)
1) 2/3 of members in both houses vote in favor of amendment (34 states).
2) 2/3 of state legislatures can petition Congress to call for a national convention.

10. Ratification (two methods)
1) -3/4 of state legislatures ratify amendment (38 states)
2) 3/4 of the states use conventions to ratify amendment.

12. Part Two: Informal Amendments

13. 1) Congressional Legislation:
Congress has stretched basic powers to pass laws that address current issues.
-Called the “Elastic
Clause”

14. Example of legislation:
The power to “regulate interstate commerce” has been stretched to make laws that regulate air traffic.

15. 2) Executive Action
Presidents have stretched basic powers such as the power to serve as commander-in-chief.

16. Example of executive action:
Presidents have ordered troops into battle in “undeclared wars” (not declared by Congress).

17. Non-declared wars since 1945

18. 3) Court Decisions
The Supreme Court stretches the meaning of the Constitution by interpreting and applying clauses to cases they hear.

19. Example of court decision
The “equal protection” clause was applied to the right of all defendants to have a lawyer.

20. Citizens United versus Federal Election Commission (2010)

21. 4) Party Practices
Political parties have become a part of the structure of every presidential election.

22. Example of party practice:
Each party nominates one candidate to run for president.

23. 2012 Conventions
Democratic Republican

24. 2) Custom
Some presidential powers are based on traditions started by previous presidents.

25. Example of custom
Presidents appoint a cabinet of advisors to help them carry out their duties.

26. Obama’s Cabinet Meeting

27. 2nd example of custom
”No third term for presidents”
(Two term limit is now in Constitution.)

28. FDR’s third term image

29. AMENDMENT ASSIGNMENT
FOR EACH AMENDMENT, BULLET THE MAIN IDEAS TO IDENTIFY THE MAIN RIGHTS THAT ARE PROTECTED IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS.