We have been covering the US Constitution line by line. When Republicans wave their paper props and parrot their vile machinations, we will be prepared to expose the lies. We have finished the main body of the Constitution. Now we finish with the Amendments. You can find the last article on the main body of the Constitution here. It has links to all the others. The text comes from The US Constitution. Previous articles in the Amendment series:
Article I
Articles II and III
Article IV
Article V
Article VI
Article VII
Article VIII
Articles IX and X
Articles XI and XII
Article XIII
Article XIV
Article XV
Article XVI
Article XVII
Article XVIII
Article IX
Article XX
Articles XXI and XXII
Articles XXIII and XXIV
Article XXV
Amendment XXVI
1: The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.
2: The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The Twenty sixth Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowers the voting age to 18 from 21. It is not controversial, but I remember feeling somewhat miffed at the time, because I turned 21 the year it passed.
Amendment XXVII
No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
The Twenty seventh Amendment, ratified in 1992, prevents legislators from voting themselves an immediate pay raise. It is not controversial. However, I have heard several Republicans claim that they were responsible for this Amendment, instituted because of “Democrat Party corruption”. This is a lie. The Amendment was proposed voted on by the House and Senate in 1789. No, that is not a typo. At the time, only eight states moved to ratify it, and it languished in limbo for 203 years before it was fully ratified by the states. Republicans could hardly have been behind it, because the party did not yet exist.
This concludes the Constitution Series, here at Politics Plus. I hope you have enjoyed it, and even more, that you have learned from it. We have seen, time and time again, issue by issue, that Republican claims to honor our nation’s founding document are as bogus as the statements they make about it.
While Republicans claim to honor the Bible, they ignore everything Jesus taught about caring for the poor and outcast. While Republicans claim to honor our flag, they drag it through the filth of inequality, bigotry, and repression of our most basic rights. While Republicans claim to honor our Constitution above all, they would undo much of what it guarantees. It they are allowed to take power again, the future of our Constitution is certain.
12 Responses to “Constitutional Amendments: Articles XXVI and XXVII”
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You know as well as i do that maybe four of the entire legislature have even read the preamble much less the whole thing. They all think it means what they say it means. Then when the court says it means something else they say OK and just go out and get a corporation to buy a re-vote in a different case. The next test is coming out of the ninth circuit within 6 months or so. Then we’ll see what money can buy for real.
I know it all too well, Mark. I don’t think that Walker’s decision will be a real test of your theory, because the real Republican money funds the corporocons and neocons. The theocons and klanocons are tolerated, because they provide a reliable base, too stupid to realize they are being fleeced, but I cont see the money Republicans coming to their defense on this to a great extent.
TC
Thanks for all the work you’ve done on this. It answered some questions I had and made me reflect on others.
Tim
You’re most welcome Tim. That’s why this blog is here.
Great series of posts, TomCat. What I find amazing it how few words the Constitution and all it amendments contain. Today we are treated with 2000 page bills. I can’t even begin to imagine how many pages would be in a new constitution. Today’s congressmen should write legislation that is clear and succinct, rather than muddy and bloated.
Thanks, Jerry. I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right. I guess it’s like cars. A mechanic can make one to last 50 years, but it takes an engineer to make one that will fall apart three days after the warranty expires.
You are truly, dare I say it? A real American.I love your classificaitons, corporocons, neocons, theocons and klanocons. Every last one of them is hostile to the spirit of our Constitutional Democratic Republic. You are a hero in the struggle between Democracy and fascism. Well done, TomCat!
Dave, I don’t know what to say. Thank you. I’m humbled.
Rushpubliscums know the Constitution like I know neurosurgery. The only Amendments they know are the 2nd and the 14th, and they HATE the 14th.
Remind me not to hire you for a brain operation 😉
Well said.
I just got my very own copy of the Constitution from the A.C.L.U. and I’ve been reading the complete document, not just those “hot” issue parts, and it’s a very enlightening piece of work. I carry it with me at all times and I suggest everyone get a copy. I’m now going to read this complete series to add to my understanding. Thanks for taking the time to educate us.
Welcome Debbie, and thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Soon, I’ll be releasing the entire series as a PDF file.