Why is it important that the constitution be flexible?

Answer 1

One example of how the U.S. Constitution is flexible is what is known as the Elastic Clause. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 gives congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper, which allows for interpretation and flexibility.

Answer 2

Not all would agree that it should be.

There are two main schools of thought:

A living Constitution:

The Constitution is organic, and must be interpreted to fit the needs of each new generation, so that we are not locked into the past. It must evolve to meet our changing needs.

Literal Reading:

To "interpret" the Constitution makes us not a nation of laws, but of men, as it will then be men who "interpret" it. It makes the Constitution a set of "guidelines" which may be departed from at will.

Answer 3

The constitution describes how the congress will be made up, gives it certain responsibilities, and certain restrictions. It does not say exactly what it will do. It makes the president the commander in chief of the armed forces. It does not really say what he will do in that office. The constitution establishes specific lines of authority and separates functions. It tells how the government will work, not what it will do. A number of state constitutions have the weakness in that they have specific rules on what the government will do.

Answer 4

It isn't intended to be, except by way of amendment, a process so difficult is is unlikely to be performed trivially.

The problem is with people who want to pretend it is a "living document", which can be ignored and re-interpreted to suit them... To say a document can mean anything, is to say it says nothing. I would dearly love to see their faces if their bosses told them their employment contract was a living document, so enjoy your $1/hr job!

Answer 5

The constitution can be amended. It can be changed to reflect more modern views.

The constitution is amendable because the founding fathers did not want the country to be ruled by the dead hand of history.

Originally, only white male landowners could vote. This was changed by several amendments so now all citizens can vote. This is why the constitution is said to be flexible.

Answer 6

That depends. The constitution can be changed, however, things set in the constitution are set in stone. It has supremacy over everything else.

Answer 7

It means that the constitution is flexible, or can be changed.

Answer 8

Article 1 section 8 of the constitution states the necessary and proper clause

Answer 9

The constitution is adaptable because it meet different needs and views for every new generation there was.