Amendment XXVII

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.


Finally Amendment 27.  This Amendment is basically saying that there is no law that changing or implementing varying payments for the Senators service will be effective until after an election of Representatives that have done their check.  I am not overly certain what the exact meaning of the Amendment is.  Its what I think it means.  I do not believe that this affects me as much as the others.   I mean everyone has to get paid.  But it is a valid point to make. 



I think this is a good image for this.  It presents the visual that getting away with a lot of money is what the Amendment is for but actually its what is preventing that. 

Amendment XXVI

Amendment XXVI

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. 

This the Amendment that says the legal age to vote in this country. At this age citizens are given the right to register and vote.  For me this was the best day because  I was finally able to participate in a significant event.  Its a great feeling because this is the legal age of adulthood.



This is a great image because it shows exactly what I was talking about. Its a fun way to get the point across but have fun with it also.  

Amendment XXV

Amendment XXV

Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability

This Amendment is pretty lengthy as well.  So this just gives the gist of what this one will be about.  It describes procedures of what will happen in an event the President dies while in office.  But it also talks about the rights of those that disabled in this country and those with inability.  Its an important Amendment because disabled people are still people and have rights like everyone else. 

This pictures is great in the way it demonstrates the way they switch places if something happens to the President. 

Amendment XXIV

Amendment XXIV

The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

Here is another Amendment that was a little longer in length so this is just the first part.  This is a continuation of the other Amendments with the details and instructions for the Presidency. But also something dealing with the poll taxes.  I am not sure but any of the other meanings of this but its the basis for what I think it is. 



This is a perfect image for this Amendment.  It is just simple but meaningful also.

Amendment XXIII

Amendment XXIII

The District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a state, but in no event more than the least populous state; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the states, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a state; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

This another long Amendment and this is only the first part of the that Amendment.  This one also pertains to the ones for electing a President.  It goes along for the other instruction of the being elected President. 



This is a funny picture. Seeing it from a different perspective but humor as well. 

Amendment XXII

Amendment XXII

 No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

This is just the first bullet of this Amendment but it states that the President is not allowed more than two terms of office.  This is a rule set long ago in the Constitution.  It is important for the American people to know this as well.  


This image is great.  Portrays the time constraint on them in a fun way but actually accurate. 

Amendment XXI

Amendment XXI

 The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. 

The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

This is how the 18th Amendment was repealed.  It changed the laws of liquor and delivery in the Us and it was important.  Its plain and simple I think.  This is one of the easier Amendments to understand. 


I think this image is funny from the Simpsons.  It's really funny but the to gives gist of it.

Amendment XX

Amendment XX

 The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3 day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.


This is the Amendment that sets the terms the President and Vice President.  When their terms in office will start and also the other offices as well.  This is the guide for them.  They follow these steps when taking office and it is an important Amendment to know and be able to reference when wanting to know a little about the presidency.  



This picture is not super special but it gives the significance of when a new president takes over.  This is important eve now as Donald Trump prepares to take office in January.  

Amendment XIX

Amendment XIX

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. 

This Amendment guarantees the right to vote and not being denied based sex.  So this one is about women.  This Amendment gave women the right to vote.  It is important for women to know this Amendment and to also be proud of it.  Its a right that will be forever.  Women's rights are as important as everything else. As a woman this one is especially important to me. I love having the right to vote and as I stated before have a voice in this big world. 



This picture I thought was perfect for this Amendment.  It depicts the strength of women and their endurance.  Many women fought long for this right.  It is still just as important today as back then. 

Amendment XVIII

Amendment XVIII

Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors

This is the Amendment that covers the liquor laws.  For the most part I believe they are referring to the production and the way it is distributed throughout the US. This Amendment was pretty long as well.  But gist of it is about the Manufacturing of the liquor products.  And also public intoxication and even the legal drinking age for the US. 

 

I think this image fits for this Amendment because of the discussion of liquor and all that goes along with it. 

  

Amendment XVII

Amendment XVII

 The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

This is just the first bullet of this Amendment.  The basis of the one is to create the structure of the US Senate.  Its a guide of sorts for making things work a certain way. 





This is a nice picture.  Its not necessarily the the best for representing the Senate.  But it has a little point to it.  It is more or less probably the way the Senate operates or even converses on issues. 

Amendment XVI

Amendment XVI

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. 


This Amendment is pretty simple.  It explains the right for the government to collect taxes.  Every citizen has to pay taxes no matter how little or how big the amount of money they make. 



This is an interesting image.  I actually think its a little funny because of sometimes this the amount of money you may owe depending on what you make.  Its a spot on image though I think. 

Amendment XV

Amendment XV

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

This is the guaranteed right to vote for every citizen.  This says that this right will not be denied ever.  This Amendment prohibits denial by based race or color etc.  This is important because as an African American citizen this means everything to have voice no matter how small.  

I thought this picture was a good representation of this Amendment.  It also demonstrates someone exercising their right to vote.  

Amendment XIV

Amendment XIV

 Rights Guaranteed: Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection.

This is just a line of the actual Amendment.  Put simply this Amendment just states the rights that will always be guaranteed.  They are the rights of the people.  Its important for everyone to understand this Amendment and what it means for them.  For me it means that the rights listed in this Amendment are forever guaranteed.  Knowing your rights is important for everyone and I know because I am sure their other people like me who do not understand their rights. So this is just another Amendment of rights that everyone needs to know as well. 

This is a good picture that says how the rights of the citizens should be. 

Amendment XIII

Amendment XIII

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.


I believe this Amendment speaks volumes given the history of this country.  And the people of this country need to know about this Amendment.  Learn what it means and what it means for them.  This is a right of everyone and everyone needs to be aware of it I believe.  



I love this picture it demonstrates with great emphasis when slavery was no longer an acceptable option for any human being.  It signifies freedom and I think it captures this Amendment perfectly. 

Amendment XII

Amendment XII

The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;

This Amendment is important because it covers the right of the people for presidency.  This is important because its the rights of voter for the election of the president.  I did not add the whole Amendment here this is just the first part.  This is just an overview of what the Amendment states.  This is an important Amendment especially with the election that just passed and the millions of people that didn't vote at all.  Electing a president is a decision of the people.  Every person needs to vote because the vote does count. 

I think this is a good picture because its something that every citizen needs to understand.  Every person needs to re think what their notion about voting and what it means for electing a president. 

Amendment XI

Amendment XI

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

This Amendment I struggle to understand.  But simply put I think that this means that the judicial branch's powers will not be pushed to be involved in other disputes in law from other foreign states.  




I think this picture is great for just representing the Judicial System. 

Amendment X

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

This Amendment is basically that the powers that are not specifically stated in the Constitution and are not for the US belong to the States.  This is the guide for state laws I would say.  The power to make laws relative to that states needs. 

This is a good colorful image representing what this Amendment means.  It helps explain it in visual form.  Plain and simple. 

Amendment IX

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

For me this basically means to me that there are a few specific rights that will be denied to the people.  I am not all that certain of the exact meaning of this particular Amendment but that's what I interpret it as. 



This is a great picture capturing the rights the people that they cannot be denied EVER!

Amendment VIII

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

This is just another extension of the other Amendments.  Excessive bails are permitted and not cruel and unusual punishment as well.  This is important because sometimes people cannot afford high bail penalty and if its a first time offense and they are not at risk of fleeing then bail has to be reasonable. To that is the way that I see it. 



This is a funny picture but it represents this Amendment for them to post bail making it reasonable to achieve that.  

Amendment VII

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

This is another one tied in with the others.  This one discusses more on the trial part with which a jury is added. This coincides with making sure that every person is treated fairly given the benefit of the doubt.  


I thought this image was especially good for depicting this Amendment because they have a lot of these jury trials in this show.  Its one of my favorite shows and most all of the crimes are prosecuted by jury trial. 

Amendment VI

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

This one tied in with the previous Amendment.  This guarantees the right to a speedy trail what ever that might mean.  Speedy does not always mean speedy.  Mostly  I would say they move as fast as they can.  That has not been defined any more than that.  It gives the rights of accused to have the trial where the crime was committed.  

This picture is a little outdated but definitely a good representation of the Amendment rights. 

Amendment V

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

This is an extremely important Amendment because protects the rights of the person accused of any crime. It protects against double jeopardy as well, which is being tried for the same crime.  I believe that it matters because of the way it shows that even criminals still have rights.  



This just presents one part of this Amendment rights but it is important still.  

Amendment IV

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

This Amendment is equally as important as all of the rest because it protects the people and helps them to be safe in their homes.  The police have to have a warrant to search and obtain any evidence.  Its important to understand and know this right especially to make sure that they are not being taken advantage of.  




This picture/cartoon depicts the basis of this specific right of the people. It is a good representation of the Amendment.

Amendment III

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

This Amendment pertains more to active soldiers and those who will eventually enlist in the army.  I am not overly certain of all the terminology here but to me it just discusses a little about active duty and when they are not, which specifically issues in time of peace. It means that they are not giving sanction to stay in someone's house without their permission.  But if there is a time of war it will be required by law to participate in it.  That is what I think this it basically saying. 

This picture is funny to me.  Soldiers work hard to keep us safe and when they come home they are probably extremely tired and will just pass out like just like this.  I find this and it correlates with the Amendment. 

Amendment II

Amendment II

A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

With this Amendment I have to say I struggle with what the right answer is, or even what position I should have on it.  I understand the importance of every person having the right to own a gun and to ensure their own safety and the safety of their families.  But on the flip side the level of issues that we have had in the country in last few year shootings of young children, and guns falling in kids hands.  It has become an epidemic and that many people continue loose their lives to gun violence.  And so because of the violence it makes standing on anyone side difficult.  Personally I continue to be on the fence because as a law abiding citizen I do not see anything wrong with owning a gun themselves.  But I am against unnecessary killing; shooting when you are not in actual danger.  So I am on the fence I cannot pick a side on this issue and remain neutral.  

I found this picture to be kind of funny and show that understanding what the phrase means is important.  It can be misunderstood if not careful.  So I chose this picture also to kind provide a little levity here.  To keep this from being so heavy. 

Amendment I

 Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This is one the most important amendments of them all.  It establishes the basis of the rights of every citizen.  Its important for every citizen to know these rights.  Freedom of speech and religion is a big one. As citizens we are allowed to express ourselves through these outlets.  There are no judgments and no fear of being arrested for different beliefs.  All of these rights collectively make this a big deal for every person in the United States.  



This picture lists rights established in the first Amendment.  I thought it was good picture because it portrayed that these are the rights of both men and women, both young and old.   

Articles of the Constitution

The Articles

.  

Article I
The role of the legislative branch is discussed in Article I. The legislative branch includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. Together they are called Congress. Members of the House of Representatives are often referred to as members of Congress, but Senators are always called Senators.

Article II
Rules for how the President and the Vice President are elected are defined in Article II. It also defines the responsibilities and powers of the President and the executive branch.

Article III
The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and lower courts. Article III states that Supreme Court Judges can hold office for life, unless they are removed, impeached, or convicted of a crime. It also says that anyone accused of committing a federal crime has the right to a trial by jury.

Article IV
Article IV discusses the relationship between states and the federal government. It also outlines the rules for admitting new states to the Union.

Article V
The Founding Fathers realized that over time, the government might need to make changes, called amendments, to the Constitution. Two thirds of both houses of Congress must agree to propose an amendment. It takes a positive vote by three fourths of the states to make an amendment law.

Article VI
Article VI states that the Constitution is the highest law of the land. Federal and state officers and judges must uphold the Constitution.

Article VII
The names of the men who signed and ratified, or approved the Constitution, are in Article VII. It confirms the establishment of the Constitution.

Each of the articles listed gives a brief overview of the powers that rest with each branch of government.  It establishes what they control and how far they can go with any law.

Preamble

Preamble

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 preamble is basically for the government to set the tone of the rest of the Constitution. It is what guides them in writing the rest of the laws.  Each line of the preamble ensures something specific and important to every citizen.  Understanding the preamble will help to understand the rest of the Constitution and each amendment. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK4LHqRbuTE&t=84s

I chose this video because I thought it would be useful for helping to understand the preamble more.  It breaks down each phase providing an easier answer.  A more effective way to understand.  It is also a funny in the way he gives his explanation.