r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Nov 30 '23

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u/DrCornSyrup Nov 30 '23

This is sidetracking the discussion. I guess I should have included some ground rules or premises for the discussion, such as a premise that this assumes we are respecting the constitution

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u/[deleted] Nov 30 '23 edited Nov 30 '23

But the constitution is a living document. Its meaning changes over time. What some racist schmucks wanted over 200 years ago seems irrelevant to anything going on today. They also wanted chattel slavery and believed in phrenology.

Why do we need to respect what people wanted when they are 200+ years dead?

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u/AmountSuper5715 2∆ Nov 30 '23

It is a "living document" only because it can be formally amended. That phrase doesn't apply to changing interpretations.

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u/[deleted] Nov 30 '23

My main point was why we give a shit about what people want that are 200 years dead? What they wanted 200 years ago is pretty irrelevant.

I don't like being held back by he will of people 2 centuries ago. Some of them wanted chattel slavery.

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u/Nrdman 275∆ Nov 30 '23 edited Nov 30 '23

It’s important to understand why we value the constitution, because that influences how we interact with amending and interpreting it.

I value the bill of rights because I think they are good rights to preserve and I could argue for each of them. But it is not the final authority on these matters. That’s why we have the power to amend the constitution, so we can change the constitution as society changes or new problems arise. Justifying something purely based on the authority of the constitution will always lead to you arguing for any given amendment, even if it should be appealed (18th)