what does the constitution mean &#92;?
96126
A constitution is a system, often codified in a written document, which establishes the rules and principles by which an organization is governed. In the case of nation states, this term refers specifically to a national constitution, which defines its nation's fundamental political principles and establishes the power and duties of each government. Most national constitutions also guarantee certain rights to the people. Historically, before the evolution of modern codified national constitutions, the term constitution could be applied to any important law.\n\nConstitutions are found in many organizations. They are found extensively in government, at supernational (e.g. United Nations Charter), national (e.g. Constitution of the United States), and sub-national/provincial (e.g. Constitution of Maryland) levels. They are found in many political groups, such as political parties and pressure groups, including trade unions (labor unions). There are many non-political groups and entities that may have constitutions of a sort such as companies and Voluntary organisations.
590257
You are right. As a matter of fact, the preamble of the Constitution mentions "blessings". Who else gives us blessings but God?\n\n"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." -The US Constitution
935993
The Constitution of the United States
1082594
A constitution is a system, often codified in a written document, which establishes the rules and principles by which an organization is governed. In the case of countries this term refers specifically to a national constitution, which defines the fundamental political principles and establishes the power and duties of each government. Most national constitutions also guarantee certain rights to the people. Historically, before the evolution of modern codified national constitutions, the term constitution could be applied to any important law.
665830
Well, the Supremacy Clause helps. As interpreted by all courts in the US, the Supremacy Clause (Article VI) basically says that all other laws are subordinate to the Constitution, and that no laws can contradict the Constitution.\n\nAlso, it's a fairly general document in most situations, rather than many of the reform laws that were very situation specific. The more generally applicable a set of rules are, the more they survive changing circumstances.\n\nThat's one reason why the Living Document theory of constitutional interpretation is so strong; trying to interpret the document only as it was Originally intended to be applied is useless when the world around it has changed so dramatically in the past couple of centuries.
40360
It is "the Bill of Rights" [not 'or"]\n\nThe first 10 Amendments to the US Constitution.  They were adopted at the same time as the Constitution, and enumerate individual and other rights reserved to the states, such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly (No. 1), right to bear arms (no. 2); freedom from unreasonable search and seizure (no. 4) etc.
579119
The Bill of Rights is a part of the Constitution.
1001450
The constitution is the basis for all law in the United States
157829
The Constitution was adopted by a convention of the States on 17 September 1787.\n\nThe Constitution of the United States was subsequently ratified by the several States on the following dates:\nDelaware 7 December 1787\nPennsylvania 12 December 1787\nNew Jersey 18 December 1787\nGeorgia 2 January 1788\nConnecticut 9 January 1788\nMassachusetts 6 February 1788\nMaryland 28 April 1788\nSouth Carolina 23 1788\nNew Hampshire 21 June 1788\n\nRatification of the Constitution of the United States was completed 21 June 1788\n\nThe Constitution of the United States was subsequently ratified by States on:\nVirginia 25 June 1788\nNew York 26 July 1788\nNorth Carolina 21 November 1788\nRhode Island 29 May 1790\nVermont 10 January 1791\n\nTo achieve the votes in the convention required to vote the new Constitution out to congress, it was agreed among a majority of the Delegates that the first order of the Congress of the new government would be to draw up and propose to the several States a Bill of Rights.\n\nAfter Constitutional ratification the first Congress of the new government gave the task of drawing up a Bill of Rights to Congressional member James Madison.  He did this heavily using the work of George Mason who wrote the Bill of Rights for Virginia.\n\nThe result of James Madison’s effort resulted in a Bill of Rights with 12 Articles which were proposed to the Legislatures of the several States on 25 September 1789.  Ten of the articles were ratified by the several States in the following order:\nNew Jersey 20 November 1789\nMaryland 19 December 1789\nNorth Carolina 22 December 1789\nSouth Carolina 19 January 1790\nNew Hampshire 25 January 1790\nDelaware 28 January 1790\nNew York 24 1790\nPennsylvania 10 March 1790\nRhode Island 7 June 1790\nVermont 3 November 1791\nVirginia 15 December 1791\nRatification was completed on 15 December 1791\n\nThe amendments were subsequently ratified by the following States:\nMassachusetts 2 March 1939\nGeorgia 18 March 1939\nConnecticut 19 April 1939.\n\nThe Second Amendment as part of the Bill of Rights was ratified 15 December 1791 3 years and 6 months after the Constitution of the United States was ratified on21 June 1788.
928580
You need to read the Constitution.
545652
Looks like you will NOT find it.  Note that no one using it bothers to give a specific quote or context.\n\nA web search turns up numerous cases of the very same article --a screed by Cindy Sheehan, where she lists this alongside various other positions she imagines Bush has.  \n\nNot exactly the most reliable, unbiased source.  No, if he'd said anything like this you can be sure there are plenty of journalists who would be out there reporting it!\n\n\nConsider also the slight possibility that Bush --or perhaps just a Bush supporter-- used the expression "old scrap of paper" of the Constitution, but NOT in order to denigrate it.  \n\nCompare the following random quotes from forums:\n\n*then the state is interfereing in church affairs - not legal, at least not according to a little old scrap of paper we call the "Constitution".\n\n*pick up the constitution and measure the action of the government.\nif they fall short or violate the old scrap of paper, then ANYONE... yes, anyone has the right to SUE the government, or press charges for the violation. \n\nNote that both of these speakers use this very expression for the Constitution but CLEARLY think of it very highly and are using the expression to help make that point!\n\nIt would not be difficult to imagine how a Bush-hater might come across such a phrase and jump to the conclusion it was intended negatively without stopping to check.\n\nAnd consider how easily this would happen -- someone who thinks Bush's NSA policy or whatever violates the Constitution makes a remark (their own opinion, mind you) that "Bush acts as if the Constitution is just an old scrap of paper".  That quickly becomes "Bush thinks that..."   and oh, so easily, ends up as "Bush SAID that. . . "   And of course THIS is the form that many pick up on and run with.
280645
there are 27 amendments to the constitution.  These amendments made to the constitution are changes made to the main body.  These include basic rights for citizens ie. the Bill of Rights, which is made up of the first ten amendments.  The others have come along due to changes in government as society changes over time.
809700
people\n\n\n\n\nWe the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty, to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
1063612
Or this one:\n"I, George W. Bush, promise to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic..."\nto\n"The Constitution is just a damn piece of paper"\nto\nasking for a Constitutional Amendment all within 2 years.\n\nIt must be really difficult to protect something from yourself...
96269
Do you mean the constitution? A constitution is a system, often codified in a written document, which establishes the rules and principles by which an organization is governed. In the case of nation states, this term refers specifically to a national constitution, which defines its nation's fundamental political principles and establishes the power and duties of each government. Most national constitutions also guarantee certain rights to the people.
345600
The American Constitution is a living document whose meaning changes over time.  It was written by the founding fathers.  Thomas Jefferson's ideas were heavily relied upon.  Courts constantly interpret the meaning of the words, which is why it changes.  This explains, for example, why abortion rights have changed over time.
875589
The Constitution will not go into effect as law of the Land until ratified.\n\nThe (then) current Articles of Confederation were not meant to last forever and needed replacement and enhancements.  These Articles did not specify States Rights versus Federal Rights clearly.\n\nThe Federal Government is broken into 3 branches of Government, to ensure a system of "Checks and Balances."  No single group could get control.  Also, unlike the Articles, the Constitution gave details on how it can be changed in the future (by Ammentments and Ratification).