It isn't easy to amend the Constitution. Two-thirds of eachhouse in Congress, plus 3/4 of state legislatures have to agree.That's why, in about 200 years since the Constitution was ratified,only 17 amendments besides the original Bill of Rights have passed;the last in 1992.
There are always new amendments kicking around at some level.The Equal Rights Amendment -- guaranteeing equal rights under lawto Americans of both sexes -- was passed by Congress in 1972, buthas only been approved by 35 of the 38 necessary statelegislatures. Technically, the ratification deadline has passed,but supporters believe that if three more states ratify, the ERAcould become law regardless.
An amendment making it illegal to desecrate the American flaghas yet to be approved by both houses in Congress, but it's comeawfully close.
Two proposed amendments have captured the lion's share of publicattention, though.
One, supported by President Bush, would make gay marriageillegal in this country. It's not clear whether there are enoughvotes to pass such an amendment -- it is clear that this would markonly the second time in our history that an amendment was ratifiedto limit the freedom of Americans.
The 18th Amendment made alcohol about as illegal as could be.That amendment was repealed 14 years later.
It would also be the first time in American history that theConstitution was amended, not to protect and lift up a minoritygroup, but to codify its second-class status as permanently aspossible.
The other amendment -- supported by Arnold Schwarzenegger --would make it possible for naturalized citizens to become U.S.president. Presently, only citizens born in the United States canhold our nation's highest office.
The amendment was introduced by Senator Orin Hatch, and heraises a fair point. Former secretaries of state Madeleine Albrightand Henry Kissinger couldn't have assumed presidency under currentlaw, but both have made huge contributions to our country.
Chris Rock performed in Indianapolis Sunday night. He told theaudience that the only people there who deserved to call themselvesAmericans were veterans and people who "swam over here." Theyunderstood America, and they had worked hard to get it.
The rest of us were just lucky.
So the Hatch/Schwarzenegger amendment makes a great deal ofsense. Well, as long as it isn't used to make "Ah-nold" president.I'm not sure I could handle that kind of disappointment.
But the most interesting thing about it is that two Republicans-- and unlike Schwarzenegger, Hatch is definitely not known forleaning to the left -- are supporting an amendment that brings theinjustice of the president's proposal into sharp relief.
Hatch and Schwarzenegger would like to see opportunity expandedto more Americans. They want to level the playing field and bringmore of our citizens into the process. Naturalized citizens shouldbe able to pursue the presidency.
What could be a better example of compassionateconservatism?
Bush, on the other hand, wants to classify an entire group assecond-class citizens, and specifically deny them their birthright.Homosexuals have no right to the pursuit of happiness.
The contrast couldn't be clearer.
Write to Stephen at stevehj@mac.com
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