The Twenty Seventh Amendment

"No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."

This amendment makes it so Senators and Representatives cannot give themselves a pay raise in the same year of Congress that they work in.  If they do give themselves a pay raise and the people are unhappy with that then they must answer to them; this was a way of checks and balances.  

This is an image showing the difference in income between the working class and the people who work in Congress.  Seems really ridiculous no?!?

This is a comic demonstrating how it seems that many sacrifice when the economy is going through a troubling time, but how that doesn't seem to affect Congressmen or people of the High Upper Class. 

The Twenty Sixth Amendment

"Section 1.

The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

Section 2.

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

This amendment made the legal voting age 18 years old for all state and federal elections.  

This image reflects how influential the votes of the younger generation could be if they took a part in federal and state elections.  

This is a figure showing the percentage of voters by age and how it has changed over the years. It is overwhelming that the percentage of younger people that vote is so low compared to the older ages.  What is this saying about the youth of the United States? 

The Twenty Fifth Amendment

"Section 1.

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President. 

Section 2.

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Section 3.

Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President. 

Section 4.

Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President. 

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.  Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session.  If the Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office."

This amendment describes the succession of the presidency if any should happen to the president or if he/she is unable to continue their position in office.  When there is no Vice President in office the President appoints one, and the Senate approves.

This image shows the current line of succession as of 2014 if anything were to happen to President Obama.  

I think this is a comical view on how people see the office of Obama, and how they think that anyone taking over office would be better than him (even if that person had no experience).  

The Twenty Fourth Amendment

"Section 1.

The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors or 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.

Section 2.

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

This amendment prohibited the federal and state governments from imposing poll taxes before a citizen can participate in an election.  Before this amendment was proposed and ratified it was a way to exclude certain groups of people from voting.   

This cartoon is a depiction of the poll tax and how it stopped millions of people from being able to vote because they couldn't afford it.  

This image shows how many people were upset because the government tried to force people from their right to vote after various amendments of the Constitution had given citizens those rights.  

The Twenty Third Amendment

"Section 1.

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 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 the electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

 

Section 2.

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

This amended Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution.  It gave the District of Columbia the same amount of electors as the smallest state in the Union, which currently means it has 3 electoral votes.  The district still does not have any actual congressman in the House or Senate.  

This comic is an illustration of how weird it seems that a District is allowed to have it's own electoral votes but not any one to represent it in the House and Senate.  

This is an image of a license plate in the District of Columbia, they are saying that it isn't very fair that they are taxed yet they are not allowed to be represented.  

The Twenty Second Amendment

"Section 1.

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 yo 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. 

Section 2.

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress."

This amendment had to do with the President’s limits on term.  This was initially suggested by Thomas Jefferson because without such a limit the presidency could last for a lifetime.  George Washington had also thought the same way and only served two terms because he didn't want to be seen as a king.  The only Presidents that ran for a third term were Ulysses S. Grant and F.D.R. and this was because people didn't like to change the President during a time of war because they wanted to keep the country unified.  

This Calvin and Hobbes comic is a funny way to look at the terms of the president, and in Calvin's case the terms that his father is in "office".  

This caricature of Obama and Clinton put a funny twist on how many have feelings of wanting to repeal the 22nd amendment.  I also think that Clinton wouldn't mind being a President again for a third term.

The Twenty First Amendment

"Section 1. 

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

Section 2.

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.

Section 3.

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 amendment repealed the eighteenth amendment because it was overall a bad idea.  The only real people that benefited from the eighteenth amendment was organized crime.  Franklin D. Roosevelt was the one that campaigned for the repeal during the Depression because he wanted to boost the economy and have Tax Revenues.  

This image just shows how excited that people were that the prohibition era had ended, and that people continue to "celebrate" the anniversary of this amendment.  

This image also shows how happy people were to get their alcohol back, and not only was it a happy time for them but a happy time for the boosting of the economy and to get back on our feet from the Great Depression.  

The Twentieth Amendment

"Section 1. 

The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20^th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3^rd 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.

Section 2.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3^rd day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President.  If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act a President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified. 

Section 4.

The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them. 

Section 5.

Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15^th day of October following the ratification of this article. 

Section 6.

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission."

This amendment has to do with changing the dates of inauguration and the terms of the President.  The inauguration used to be on March 4 and this is because back in the day people didn't have cars and were not able to move in and out of the White House fast enough.  Now the date of inauguration for legislation is January 3^rd, and for the President it is January 20^th.  

This image just shows how one president takes over for another by the way of the twentieth amendment.

This is a pretty fun video explaining the 20th amendment and the "Lame Duck" phase that Congress goes through.  

The Nineteenth Amendment

"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. 

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

This amendment has to do with women’s suffrage.  A lot of the protesting and pushing for the right for women to be able to vote was in the 1920’s; which was 50 years after everyone else had the right to vote.  During that time period women were not considered anything more than property, but thanks to many women fighting for the right to vote and prove that men and women were equal, women are viewed differently. 

Although now-a-days, women are said to have the same rights as men, it still seems that we are seen differently.  This is why we are known as the 51% minority because that is still how many Americans see women.  

This amendment is especially important to me because it has to do with my rights as a woman and how unfair a lot of things were and are for women back then and now.  Although some things seem to be getting better I feel like women in general are seen as inferior to men.  Which is completely outrageous to think that many people still think this way in the 21st century.  

This image is of the women's suffrage movement and how many women campaigned for the right to vote.  It also shows how far women were willing to go to be allowed the same right as everyone else.  

I love this image of a woman with power.  It is a very iconic image just showing how strong women really are and that we can do anything when we put effort and our minds into it.  

The Eighteenth Amendment

"Section 1.

After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. 

Section 2.

The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 

Section 3.

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

This amendment has to do with the prohibition of alcohol.  It was amended to the Constitution because it was thought that getting rid of alcohol would put an end to the problem.  It also had a lot to do with taxes and the sixteenth amendment.  This amendment made it illegal to import or export any alcohol.  

This image shows how many people were against the prohibition of alcohol, and how willing people were to campaign and get it back.  

This image is just an article showing the date that all states ratified the prohibition of alcohol and how it was called a "momentous day in world's history" which I am guessing is because it was so outrageous.  

The Seventeenth Amendment

"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 one vote.  The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. 

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. 

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution."

This amendment repealed Article 1, Section 3 of the Constitution.  This was changed because the representatives were only being chosen from a specific group of people who had the same ideals as the framers.  This had to change because of controversial scandals like “buying your seat”, which didn't allow the people to control their government.  Because of this now the people elect our senators and representatives.  

This image shows why the seventeenth amendment was put into place.  The people who are becoming representatives of this country need to be elected and shouldn't be able to buy their places there. 

This image shows the controversial feelings about being able to vote for your representatives.  To this day some people feel that their votes in the government don't really count or matter.  

The Sixteenth Amendment

"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 all about having to pay taxes.  It gave power to Congress to tax the income of individuals and corporations without having to pay attention to the state’s population.  

This image shows how a lot of people feel about being taxes; how they have no power against it and almost feel as though they are getting robbed of their earned money without their consent.  

I think this image just shows how overwhelming the taxes on people are getting.  I also feel like it shows that there is no way to get away from them.  

The Fifteenth Amendment

"Section 1.

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. 

Section 2.

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

This amendment gave the ex slaves the right to vote in 1870 when it was ratified, but many were still denied voting rights through 1964-1965.  

This video is showing the connection between the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments in the Constitution.  

This image shows how different Congress men tried to use the fifteenth amendment to gain votes for an election. 

The Fourteenth Amendment

"Section 1.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.  No States shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. 

Section 2.

Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.  But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the mal inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State. 

Section 3.

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President , or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.  But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. 

Section 4.

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.  But neither the United State nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. 

Section 5.

The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."

This amendment made the ex-slaves citizens.  It goes hand in hand with the thirteenth and the fifteenth amendment in trying to give rights to the former slaves.  In Section 2 of this amendment the voting rights are denied to convicted felons, even after they served their sentences.  Although you could request from the governor to give the right back but it cost a lot of money.  This amendment also made it so that anyone born in the United States automatically becomes a citizen and allows them all the rights that come with becoming a citizen.  

This image just shows how the fourteenth amendment became a step further in progressing the country further and working on the path to treat all people equally. 

This is a video about the discussion that is ongoing with the fourteenth amendment and immigration laws.  This Senator argues that "anchor babies" should not be allowed the same rights as other citizens because their parents were not citizens.  This seems really odd to me because the fourteenth amendment has been guaranteeing citizenship for all people born in the United States since it was ratified.  

The Thirteenth Amendment

"Section 1.

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. 

Section 2.

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

This amendment is pretty straight forward; it freed the slaves and eliminated forced or involuntary labor forever except in the cases of labor of convicted criminals, in military services for those drafted, and for jury duty.  Although the slaves were freed, it didn't solve a lot of the problems it had caused.  

This image shows how important Abraham Lincoln was to the thirteenth amendment and the abolition of slavery.  His "New Birth of a Freedom" in the Gettysburg Address was what got the ball rolling on the thought of freedom for everyone.  

This image is significant because it shows the importance of treating everyone equal and that not one person is better than another.  

The Twelfth Amendment

"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;

The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and votes shall then be counted;

The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President.  But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.  And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. 

The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice.  But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States."

This amendment describes the election process.  It also stated that the President and Vice President would be voted on separately and that Congress would pick from the top three candidates. It as well states that the Vice President must have the same qualifications as the President in case he must take his place.  Although it is not a specified rule it is implied and strongly recommended that the Vice President and President are from different states. 

 

This video shows the process of the electoral college and the election process. It is a fun way to look and learn about the processes.  

This is a map of the election in 2012.  It shows the number of electoral votes each state has and which states were won by each candidate.  

The Eleventh Amendment

"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 was the right that someone from a different state or country could not sue a state through Federal Government.  This is also connected to Article 3 which has to do with the Court system and the judicial powers of the government.  This amendment is important because it doesn't allow the Supreme Court system to overpower the court of the State.  

This video shows a controversy over Arizona's immigration policies.  It talks about how the federal government of the United States is allowing a lot of Latin American countries to try and sue Arizona through the Federal Court because they say it is going against foreign policy.  

  

This is a picture of the article that shows the case Chisholm v. Georgia 1793 which affirmed that citizens could sue states in Federal Court and that their rights cannot be completely ruled out by the government.  The ruling in this case gave states immunity from this.  But is also made it where someone could sue states through state governments.