Loose and Strict Construction of the Constitution of the United States: political perspective on an 18th century document which governs our modern day society.

Essay by ElizabethIceCollege, Undergraduate September 2003

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The Constitution is the single most important document to the governing of the United States of America. From the time it went into effect until today it has been the framework for holding this country together. Every time a court ruling is made, it is the law of the Constitution that we look to for guidance, and every person can have a different idea as to what that is intended to say.

Some people think that because the Constitution is over two hundred years old, it has become outdated. How can something that administrated the United States during the time of Ben Franklin be relevant today? The truth of the matter is that even though the Constitution is old, it still has a very applicable meaning to our lives in modern day.

Parts of the Constitution can be vague at times. This leaves the opportunity for people to analyze it in their own way.

Strict construction would mean the text is to be taken word for word and that there is no room to "read into" it. While loose construction, on the other had, would mean it is open to different peoples views of perception. This can be a good thing if the intentions of a person or group are good, but corruption could mean that the document is understood only to the benefit of a certain person or group. If there is too much changing of words or meaning, the content will become insignificant, garbled and misconstrued. If everything is taken loosely, then what is to say that the Constitution should be taken seriously at all?

Although, reforming the manuscript might better fit the public at large. Changing times can mean that our views change also, and what is important to us could be different years from now.