Another stab at the constitution

In this article we can see how the “Constitution” is not perfect, at the time our forefathers wrote this constitution the political system that existed was very different. It was a new country with new issues and problems. I feel that the constitution was written by men with vested interest in protecting their own rights more so than those of the newly created nation. Times change and so should the laws that govern our country. In the centuries that have followed our country has grown and evolved and so should our constitutional rights. Fortunately the constitution whether planned or by accident has provides us several methods/ loop holes as discussed in the article that allows our elected politicians to make changes. One of the things that I really agree with is the way that these loop holes allow changes but has many safe guards in place to prevent abuse of power or changes by governing political parties that may give them an unfair ability to make these changes. The fact that it includes the house, senate and legislature can help us feel that we the people are being represented.

I agree with the commentary by Jamal Greene that there should be a term limit for federal Judges; I have often seen judges on television that without actually seeing them perform their tasks have made question their ability to see things clearly in today’s day and age. Just as in the case of the constitution, laws must change with time and the ability of an older judges to change his or her opinion along with the laws may be difficult. In addition as stated in the commentary if a judge is allowed to continue in his or her position as long as their behavior is acceptable they may be inclined to align themselves politically while making decision. As they are appointed by the president their “allegiance may be to the president and not to the country.

 I also agree with the piece by Rachel Barkow concerning our prison system. I personally believe that the cookie cutter system that we have in place has created an industry that relies on our judicial system to maintain it well stocked. The prison system has become one of the most lucrative businesses in our country. By having mandatory sentences, and interest groups lobbying for even harsher laws and longer prison terms the system is simply creating a factory of prisoners to supply demand. By our judicial system not viewing each case individually it is simply disallowing the fair representation that is our rights in this “land of the free.

As the system has allowed these groups the ability to push for longer terms and harsher laws we continue to deviate from the fact that prison is designed to punish according to the crime and rehabilitate. As longer sentences we lose sight of rehabilitation and it becomes an issue of housing, guarding, and feeding which is where it has becomes a business.

The Constitution of the United States was written to protect the rights of the citizens of this newly formed nation. As I stated earlier I feel that it was written to protect the rights of a certain group and not all. However I feel that as we have grown and continue to grow as a nation this constitution should change and grow as well.   The “constitution” should change as long as it can change to protect the rights of all and not just the rights of those in power, of those who are politically connected. It should represent us all and protect us all. By making these changes and disallowing the federal judges to serve for life we can change with the time without violating its citizen’s rights.